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882 Impact of three wheeler ban policy on road traffic injuries in Karachi, Pakistan
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  1. Fareed Ahmed,
  2. Zafar Fatmi
  1. Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background (issue) Ban on two wheelers or three wheelers on many roads in several Asian cites have been implicated; however their impact on road traffic injuries (RTI) have not been studied much. In Karachi, Pakistan, for past few years there is steadily increase of three wheelers as a most frequent mode of transportation. From August 2015 Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the authorities to take immediate action against operation of these three-wheelers, commonly known as Qingqis, across the province.

Description of the problem Frequency of RTI secondary to three wheeler (Qingqis) is one the emerging problem in our part of world. It was implicated that three-wheelers led to increase in the RTI in Karachi. However, to date no work has been done to estimate the contribution of three-wheelers on RTI in Karachi.This is (an ongoing) descriptive cross sectional study (pre and post) design, that is before and after implementation of ban policy on Qingqis using hospital based record review.

Effects This is our preliminary results on the basis of record review done from Feb. to July, 2015 (before ban policy) and from Aug. to Oct, 2015 ( after ban policy, ongoing). A total of (n = 638) RTI reported in the period of pre-ban policy. Total fatal accident were (34.9%) majority were due to motorbike versus(vs) cars (57%), motorbike vs motorbike (21%),motorbike Vs three wheelers (16%), car vs car (5%) while in 1% single vehicle involved. In non-fatal accident (n = 415) majority were involved Qingqis (71%).In the period of post-ban policy, we have analyse the data of 3 months from Aug. to Oct. A total of (n = 261) RTI were reported. Fatal accident were (31.8%) majority again from bike vs car (69%), car vs car (8%) while in 6% motorbike vs motorbike or with Qingqis. In non-fatal accidents (n = 178) majority were due to car (82%).

Conclusion From the above results we can conclude that numbers of RTI has been decreasing in the post-ban policy period. These results indicate strong impact of three wheelers on RTI in our part of world which can be control by enforcing banning of such transport. In order to sustain these countermeasures over time, awareness about safety measures is the key element. Next, law enforcement agencies should be strengthen along with that government should provide alternate modes of transportation options for public in the form of mass transport.

  • Three wheeler
  • Road traffic injury
  • Developing countries
  • Karachi

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