There are some questions that are so painful that they shake the soul. Today I am asking one such question. Is it really that easy to lose a life? Can a boy’s youth be buried under the soil just because of a simple mistake? Is it possible for a mother to wake up every morning and sleep every night with only her son’s memories left to hold on to? Can a father, who once dreamed of seeing his son rise and shine, watch him disappear in a moment and still be able to breathe normally again? These are not just words. These are screams of pain that echo in the hearts of parents who have lost their children in road accidents. These are not rare stories. These are now common, tragic realities that people have started to treat like everyday news, forgetting that behind every line in the newspaper is a family shattered forever.
Just few days ago , my hometown Tral witnessed a tragedy that left my soul trembling. A young boy, so full of life and dreams, was riding a new motorbike. His face held the kind of smile that only youth and freedom can bring. He was not doing anything extraordinary, just riding the way many young boys do. But one thing was missing. He was not wearing a helmet. That one missing piece took away his heartbeat. It took away his entire existence. The road where he rode with pride became the place where he took his last breath. That bike which he had loved became the machine that became his farewell. And now, his mother sits in silence, eyes swollen from tears, whispering his name. His father, once proud, now only looks at the empty room where his son’s voice once echoed. The pain of this loss is unbearable. And the most heartbreaking thing is that it was avoidable.
Why are we becoming careless with life? Why is a helmet still treated as an optional thing when it is actually the first line of defense between life and death? Why are boys as young as fifteen riding bikes without any safety? Why are parents buying bikes and scooties for their children as if they are gifting a toy, without once thinking about the risks involved? What makes a young rider feel like he is immortal on the road? What pushes him to ignore rules, skip helmets, and race through streets without a care for his own life or the life of others?
The bitter truth is that in most cases, accidents happen not because of bad luck, but because of bad decisions. Riding without helmets, speeding, doing stunts, riding triple-seat, using mobile phones while driving, and riding underage or without a license — all these are acts of negligence. And yet we see them daily on the roads. Parents proudly say, “I will gift you a bike if you pass tenth class.” But what they fail to see is that a bike given without proper guidance is not a reward, it is a weapon. You are not giving your child a ride to college. You may be giving him a one-way ticket to the grave. It is a hard truth, but it needs to be said.
Government rules are not just made for fines. They are made to save lives. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, wearing a helmet is mandatory for both the rider and the pillion. The helmet must be ISI-marked and fastened properly. But how many of us actually follow this rule? Many wear the helmet just to avoid the fine, hanging it on the elbow or putting it on the fuel tank. This is not protection. This is playing with death. Riding without a license is illegal, and giving a vehicle to a minor is punishable. The legal age for riding a motorbike is 18. Still, we see school-going children riding on busy roads. There is a reason the law says no to triple riding, no to phone use while riding, and no to drunk driving. These are not restrictions. These are life-saving instructions. Every time we break these rules, we take one step closer to death.
But rules alone cannot save lives. What truly saves lives is awareness. It is the role of the parents to educate their children about safety before handing them the keys. It is the responsibility of every rider to understand that the road is not a place to show off. It is not a playground. It is a place where every second counts and every mistake can be fatal. Young boys must understand that they are not just riding for themselves. They are carrying the hearts of their parents, the hopes of their families, and the future of their own lives on those two wheels. Every time they leave the house, their mother stands at the door with silent prayers. Every time they return safely, a father breathes in relief. But what about those who never return?
It is time for a serious change, and it must begin from home. Parents must stop treating bikes as rewards for exams. Instead, they must treat road safety as a subject more important than any classroom lesson. Helmets should be gifted before the bike. Traffic rules should be taught before engine starts. Awareness campaigns should be shown in schools, mosques, and community halls. Imams and teachers should speak about it openly. Media should highlight stories not just when someone dies, but before someone loses their life. Because one helmet can save a life. One rule followed can prevent a tragedy. One second of caution can save a lifetime of pain.
I write today not just as a citizen, but as a human being who feels every bit of this pain. That boy in Tral could have been anyone. Your brother, your son, your friend. And that mother who weeps today could be any mother. Her tears are real. Her cries do not end when the funeral ends. The silence in her house is louder than any scream. Let us not wait for more houses to fall silent. Let us rise. Let us speak. Let us act.
Ride responsibly. Wear your helmet. Respect the road. Choose life over thrill. Let every journey begin and end with safety. Because at the end of the day, if one life is saved, that is worth more than a thousand regrets.

Email:---- khandanishashraf506@gmail.com