Despite ongoing initiatives by Sindh government authorities to curb the alarming rise in fatal traffic accidents in Karachi, particularly those involving heavy vehicles, the death toll continues to rise.
Statistics show a staggering 74.4% increase in road fatalities in 2025 compared to last year. These road accidents are caused by a concoction of administrative failures, infrastructural flaws, citizens’ disregard for the law and a blatant lack of accountability for errant drivers.
While an overwhelming majority of drivers in Karachi do not have valid driving licences and are routinely involved in traffic violations, traffic cops never appear serious about disciplining them through fines, instead viewing them as their catch of the day. The collective lack of accountability and law enforcement has led to 150 deaths in the city so far this year.
Earlier this year, Sindh Police announced a crackdown on vehicles that are not complying with licensing and vehicle fitness certificate regulations, resulting in the impounding of 195 vehicles and cancellation of 532 fitness certificates. Also, heavy vehicles have been banned from daytime operations.
But these measures have not helped curtail the number of traffic accidents occurring within the metropolis on a daily basis. Dumper trucks continue to collide with speeding traffic in the daytime, and the general public remains oblivious about road safety. This begs the immediate question – if a policy exists, then why doesn’t official prevention?
The failure to curb the violations occurs when drivers are either unaware of traffic regulations or intentionally defy them; and when police officials tasked with enforcing those rules shirk their duty. A zero-tolerance policy must be implemented on Karachi’s roads with a sense of immediacy that only the 150 deaths can justify. While road safety campaigns should be continuous and widespread, police officials should be equipped with body cameras so as to eradicate the culture of bribery and ensure accountability.
#Unchecked #road #rage
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