Road barriers claim yet more lives in Islamabad

[pakwheels]

Originally published at: https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/road-barriers-claim-yet-more-lives-in-islamabad/

Two young bikers, named Salman who was riding BMW S1000rr and Arslan Malik who was riding Yamaha R1, died after hitting a concrete barriers set up by Islamabad police in an attempt to stop bikers from over-speeding. The tragic incident took place yesterday night at Jinnah Avenue (Blue Area), Islamabad. According to the sources the time they hit the barriers they died instantly on the spot. This is not the first time bikers have been killed after crashing into a such solid barrier set up by the police in the capital. Previously, life of a young biker from Lahore came to an end after hitting the similar solid barrier at a u-turn on Islamabad Highway. And now with this recent tragic incident, the way police set up these concret barrier has come under criticism.

The barrier in question had no reflective tapes or lights on them to warn the motorists. It one thing to stop people from over-speeding but not at the cost of precious lives. Islamabad is a hilly area and in winters due to fog visibility at night becomes even worse, so it is essential to set up barriers that comply with international standards.

In countries like the UK,

• It is stern rule to use good reflective tapes on barriers


• Blinking light are another requirement to be embedded on barriers to let the rider know where barriers are placed from far away distance.

In UK police uses barriers with reflective tape and bulbs on them to make people aware of barriers place and to keep them safe at night times.

We reached out to bikers to know what they had to say about the incident.

Mr. Yasir Yousafzai, a renowned automotive personality from Peshawar, said,

“Dept. of Police was established to facilitate people, and so they should do their duty well. They should have used water barrier instead of a solid barrier. The main aim is to discourage over-speeding not hurting anyone. The world is using water barriers and the government should do that too.”

Another biker Mian Inam who is from Lahore and is riding for ten years now also commented on the tragic incident. While expressing this views on the issue, he said,

“I am feeling sad after hearing the news. Police should have set up warning signs alongside concrete barriers.”

In the end, I would like to say that the negligence of people concerned shouldn’t be taken lightly. The government should take serious steps to tackle this issue as barriers are set up to save people not to harm them.

We will update you as soon as we hear from Islamabad Traffic Police. Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

اسے اردو میں پڑھیں

[danishmmh]

Dear Poster,

Sorry to say this but the condition of the bike speaks volume of their leisure ride. They person were in no way riding in speed limit.

Just imagine if there was a person instead of the barrier, they would have also not only killed themselves but also be responsible for murder of other people.
Agree to your point that the barriers should have had reflectors but the Bike riders are also equally responsible for killing themselves.

[greeneyes994u]

Overturning a 2000 kg barrier with bike and yet stopping at several meters say some different story.
RIP the departed souls.

[suhaibayaz]

It’s tragic but it will be unfair to blame Police.

Parents should control their hormonal teens and enthusiasts should race at some track.

City streets and roads are not for such races and they died due to their own mistake, glad that they didn’t kill anyone else.

[aaxam]

Innalilahe wa inna elihe rajeoon. The Barrier saved others whom that guy gona bang into with his joy ride. Every weekend many end up this way (one wheelers)

[autophile]

My thoughts are with the families of the deceased young men. RIP.

In the opening post example of UK is given, but tell me if anyone can dare ride above speed limits, let alone race on heavy bikes on city roads?

Secondly the place is well lit and motorbikes are also a headlight to show any obstructions ahead.

People are calling it police negligence. When police was vigilant in the first place ? It is known to everyone how police and admin are and work here without any regard to public safety, so your safety is in your hand. Your life and safety is first your own responsibility. Even if our police and admin were like UK, still 90 percent safety is in the hand of individual and 10 percent in state institutions and functionaries.

[Khurramchauhdary]

انا للہ و انا الہ راجعون
But sorry to say that this article is a very stupid approach to malinge the police due to frivolous reason. It would be better if it were written in the sense of warning for other bikers inspired by the fast and furious. No doubt the incident is sad but not sad enough to blame others when one can easily spot the orange tape on the barriers and moreover there is enough street lights to regret all your claims and blames.

International standard practices are good for civilized society but we are living in a country where people give expensive rides to their kids in the age of minority without any driving ethics so police can't control them by following the international standards and BTW what those blinking lights will do when you will overspending and looking toward the other bikers that how far you left them behind instead of looking on your way?

Criticism should always be constructive.

Feeling sorry for the families of deceased but I 2nd @suhaibayaz and glad to hear that they didn't killed any innocent.

[suhaibayaz]

I happen to reside on a main road in DHA lahore and believe me annoyance these bikers cause specially late nights and weekends is beyond words. (Winters are worst for noise pollution) not to mention the risk they cause to innocent commuters on roads.

Police and security try their best to stop these biker gangs but they always find a way.

Phase 6 Road was straight run some time before now DHA has installed speed breakers on every cross section.

[Khurramchauhdary]

I lives inside (not main road but internal relatively calm road) one of the best and calm which is purely residential area of a small district and I am living with the fear that what happen if my kids succeeded to escape on the road which they always try to do when they see the gate is open because I constantly witness the kids under the age of 12, 13 try to fly their bikes in front of my house at maximum speed and zero control. There feet don't even reached the ground but they are free to threat the life of others.

But we want police to follow the international standards.

[Sarkaar]

Very tragic and unfortunate event. Inna lillahe wa Inna illahe rajioun.

[CrashD]

Very tragic incident indeed
Inhalila hai rajeeon
The incident happened due to the rally who since couldn't make it too parliament decided to spend the night infront of Press club F6 and
poor administration, police and bikers plus mullahs mix
The road was blocked off with barriers and numerous police men were deployed there at F6/ blue area
As city has been fortified by container still visible left around without any warning for some1 to plough into and these concrete blocks.
The bikers saw roads without traffic speed up not knowing there was a barrier ahead.
So unfortunately mix off all contributed to tragic unfortunate demise to 2 young men, heart goes to the family and there irreplaceable loss.

[Ali.Hannan.M]

The punishment should be in proportion to the offence. The punishment for over speeding is not death, hence putting up hanging knives to cut the throats of those who are over speeding would be immoral. If this obstacle was not visible, it defeats the purpose and becomes a mortal danger, a lethal weapon. And while we are on the topic of laws, for every speeding regulation, isn't there one governing the safe use of barriers especially in areas with low visibility?

I'm sorry, this negligence in the line of work; work which should put the safety and well being of the citizens in good hands; is simply not tolerable.

The ones overspeeding paid more than their dues...with their lives. What about those responsible, earning money and paid for, trained for and still in charge of such barriers and maneuvers?

[Ali.Hannan.M]

Tragic...can't imagine what the families must be going through. Prayers with them.

[roboxx]

Very sad incident. Bikers should realize the importance of their as well as others lives. There might be a human crossing the road, instead of these barriers

[suhaibayaz]

Punishment? It was an accident, caused by their own mistake, it’s hard to miss out a damned wall in front of you (clearly marked as well) - they were over speeding. Indeed it’s tragic and my heart goes out to the bereaved families but we have got to be honest here, it isn’t time for political correctness.

This isn’t a cause for social justice warriors eithers.

[wolfkhan]

Our ancestors use to say "Speed thrills but kills" the bikers are responsible for their own death bcz the picx indeed show that they were overspeeding else they would have stoped after seeing the barriers infront of them..!! May Allah give strength to their families to over come this tragic incident (ameen) but police should also take action against all the bikers n should impose heavy fines for overspeeding bcz this is not the first time something like this happened..!!

[fazalwahab11375]

Well , the article should be.. speeding claims yet more lives in Islamabad.

I am sure Islamabad police have CCTV cameras here and they will come up with some sort of response as well.. The first would be that the riders were extremely at high rate of speed. yes barriers is an extreme big issue and active safety hazard but authorities will bring up the speed limit logic which is also right to some extent. Lets see what they do as far as these barriers.

Also at high speeds even water filled or sand filled barrier will result in same impact , the rider will lose control fly off the bike and outcome will not be diffrent either.

When you are on the road and that too a public road in urban area , you need to be more careful.. always be on defensive and scan for unknowns.. the pictures of crashed bike tells the story. Yes we can talk barriers once we our self following rules

[ahmadbilalchaudary]

The tracks which donot exist in Pakistan? This is bound to happen unless gov. builds some proper tracks. Pakistanis barely have any sources of entertainment. I as an enthusiaist will have to find empty roads if there are no tracks. Government is the total culprit here. What do you expect from the young generation? Sit in their homes calm and quiet. Aint gonna happen. What logic do you intend to give them to stop speeding on empty roads? The truth lies in the fact that there is zero governance in Pakistan.

This accident did not happen due to speed. Same type if accident happened infront of my eyes to a cd70 guy who was not even going 60 kmh due to a tilted barrier in bahria which was completely invisible. Poor guy got hit very badly and his bike reduced to a single tyre.

Meanwhile there has been a trend of shaming the deceased, people even go to the extent of calling them drunk without any proof. The deceased couldve been your brothers or relatives, i wonder if you would still make the same remarks.

[pwuser14851740977]

If you are going to break the law and race on public roads, you will end up paying the price.
Barriers placed by the police are also a nuisance and a hazard to public safety. If both parties had cared for personal and public safety, this unfortunate incident might not have happened.
Please drive carefully within speed limits because roads in Pakistan are full of potential hazards. Care for your own family as well as the families of pedestrians.

[N4SIR]

Firstly, thoughts and prayers for the deceased. May Allah ST give both of them eternal peace and patience to their families. Ameen.

Secondly, publisher of the post is either oblivious to the factual ground situation or is a chronic and habitual critique of the government system.

The concrete blocks in question are in fact a Road Block and not a diversion/obstruction from speeding. They were in place a few days ago, amid strong protest around the D-Chowk area. Jinnah Avenue is a well lit area and with these new modern bikes and stronger headlights, you can see such a blockade from quite a safe distance provided traveling under the speed limit which if I am not wrong is 80Km/Hour.

Looking at the remnants of those superbike, its no rocket science to infer they were well and truly over that limit.

Thirdly, the publisher did mention the UK road system. It is mandatory by DVLA to pass the "Compulsory Basic Training" even before you get your hands on the "Learner's License" and a 125cc Bike. You pass the computer and then the practical test before starting off with a 250CC and slowly progressing to much bigger bike.

Unfortunately, these neophyte, nocturnal riders and mostly nouveau money, in Pakistan, desire the biggest one in market, without any road safety training.

Had they taken the utmost important and basic Compulsory Basic Training, one of the driving would be alive. It requires the rider to maintain a safe distance (aka the 2 second rule) to mitigate any abrupt and atrocious road situation thrown at him/her.

Fourthly, in lieu of truculence and criticism, we must be more amenable to how things work and operate in Pakistan and conceive the reality that we are still a 3rd world and talk about solutions to the problem - not the problem.

Lastly, final thoughts on the incident. The person in charge of ordering road blocks should be held accountable for not placing "road closure" signage at a safe distance for any in-advert mishap such as this one. It is their responsibility to consider all situations. Families of the deceased may file an FIR against Sect. Interior or IJP. Meanwhile friends or concerned people may take photos and make videos of the area to be presented at the court that no prior warning to the rider/driver was visible.

RIDING IS FUN, DONT SNOG THE GROUND AT THE EXPENSE OF YOUR PARENTS GRIEF.