Change in Lifestyle, Road Ethics and Traffic Congestion: An Analysis of the Problems Faced by Commuters and Pedestrians in District Dir Lower

Abstract

This study investigates the problems faced by pedestrians and commuters due to the traffic congestion at District Dir Lower. The study aims to understand the broader dimensions of the issue and its impact on the citizens. The data for this study was collected from two urban areas of District Dir Lower, including Timergara and Chakdara of Tehsil Balambat and Tehsil Adenzai. Primary data was collected from a sample of 60 respondents conveniently selected from both the location, i.e. Chakdara (30) and Timergara (30), through in-depth interviews. For obtaining comprehensive data, the sample was further divided into different categories including drivers of public transport, passengers, pedestrians, people travelling in their private cars and traffic police while 12 respondents were selected from each category. The study reveals that during the last two decades’ lifestyle of the people has changed and travelling in private non-custom paid cars has been considered as a status symbol, while lack of understanding about road ethics, drivers’ as well as pedestrians’ behaviour remains a major cause of traffic congestion. Further, it was found that traffic congestion has different impacts on the lives of different strata of the community and particularly influences students, old, aged people, daily wage earners, pedestrians, office workers, children and small businesses in the target area. The study suggests reinforcement of traffic rules, awareness of road ethics, repair of roads, a separate route for pedestrians, registration of unregistered vehicles, inclusion of traffic/road driving-related content in the curriculum and promoting civic education to reduce the issue and its consequences.