To address the alarming increase in traffic accidents across Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on 08-April-2025 ordered the police and transport authorities to implement strict measures to improve road safety and save lives.
During a meeting he chaired at the CM House, Shah ordered that trackers, dash cams and underrun protection devices be made mandatory for heavy transport vehicles (HTVs), light transport vehicles (LTVs) and public service vehicles (PSVs). He also ordered police to conduct random drug tests of drivers.
Expressing his displeasure, he said that the growing number of road accidents is unacceptable. Reckless driving is claiming innocent lives, which is unacceptable, he added. He directed the city police to improve traffic discipline by reducing violations through accountability, encouraging responsible driving, and preventing reckless and dangerous behaviour at all costs.
He observed that most heavy vehicles are not equipped with trackers and dash cams, so he made it mandatory that all HTVs, LTVs and PSVs be equipped with trackers, dash cams and underrun protection devices at the front, side and rear.
On the subject of water tanker regulations, he decided that tankers with leaking or non-compartmentalised containers and those lacking baffle plates would be prohibited from road operations to prevent hazardous spills and instability. He stressed on immediate implementation of the decision, and on ensuring fitness compliance.
He told the traffic police to impound vehicles with cancelled fitness certificates and not allow them back on the roads until they are deemed roadworthy by the transport department.
He ordered the traffic police to conduct random drug tests on drivers of HTVs, LTVs and PSVs to ensure safe and responsible driving. He also ordered police to enforce speed limit in the city. “HTVs will be limited to a maximum speed of 30 km/h within Karachi city limits to reduce the risk of fatal accidents.”
He ordered the home minister to introduce a transparent and automated e-ticketing system for effective enforcement of traffic laws. He also ordered inter-departmental integration. “The transport department, the excise department, the licensing authority, the traffic police and Nadra must be digitally integrated for enhanced coordination and streamlined enforcement.”
He also decided to rejuvenate the Traffic Engineering Bureau, and placed it under the administrative authority of the city mayor for improved planning and execution of traffic control measures.
He also decided to make pre-licensing training mandatory. “Driving academies offering internationally recognised courses in theory, simulation and practical training must be established, making pre-licensing training compulsory.”
In consultation with the transport department and police, he decided to introduce a new point-based system to hold licence holders accountable for repeated violations. All drivers will start with 12 points, and they will be deducted for violations, with the licence being suspended after reaching zero.
Severe violations will result in higher deductions. The points will be restored after a fixed period: after two years for minor offences, and three years for major offences.
Two points will be deducted for speeding, driving without a helmet, and failure to wear a seatbelt; three points for unsafe overtaking, running red lights, and running a stop line; five points for reckless and one-way driving; and six points for drunk driving. Hit and run will result in immediate licence revocation.
The CM directed the excise & taxation department and police to crack down on illegal modifications and other violations, including extravagant number plates, tinted windows, unauthorised emergency accessories, driving without a valid licence, riding without a helmet, triple riding on motorbikes, and motorbikes lacking essential safety parts.
He stressed that these measures aim to save lives, and make Karachi’s roads safer for all residents. “We must act decisively. The lives of our citizens are far too valuable to be lost due to negligence and poor enforcement.”
Published in News Daily on 09-April-2025.