Lahore (Zuaib Butt) At least 13 people lost their lives and 1,658 others sustained injuries in 1,417 road traffic crashes reported across Punjab during the last 24 hours, according to data released by the Emergency Services Department (Rescue 1122).
Rescue officials said emergency teams responded to accidents in all 37 districts of the province. Of the injured, 745 people suffered serious injuries and were shifted to various hospitals for medical treatment, while 913 victims with minor injuries were provided first aid at the scene by Rescue Medical Teams.
The data showed that motorcycles remained the leading cause of road accidents, accounting for 79 percent of all reported crashes. Authorities emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, helmet use and lane discipline to reduce the growing number of accidents.
Among the victims were 946 drivers, 68 underage drivers, 142 pedestrians and 583 passengers. Officials expressed concern over the continued involvement of underage drivers in road crashes, urging parents and guardians to prevent minors from driving vehicles.
Lahore recorded the highest number of accidents, with 233 road traffic crashes affecting 274 people. Multan ranked second with 96 accidents and 108 victims, while Gujranwala reported 86 crashes involving 95 victims.
According to the report, a total of 1,671 victims were affected, including 1,317 men and 354 women. The age analysis revealed that 280 victims were below the age of 18, while 922 were between 18 and 40 years old. Another 469 victims were over the age of 40.
Rescue officials further disclosed that 1,501 motorcycles, 90 auto-rickshaws, 161 cars, 27 vans, 15 passenger buses, 56 trucks and 81 other vehicles, including slow-moving carts, were involved in the reported accidents.
Authorities have once again appealed to motorists to observe traffic laws, avoid speeding and wear safety gear to help reduce road fatalities and injuries across the province.
