The recent tragic accident in Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood – where a dumper truck killed two siblings and injured their father, sparking public outrage and the torching of seven heavy vehicles – shows how urgently systemic reforms are needed. In the past seven months, Karachi has witnessed over 500 deaths from traffic accidents, with 165 of them directly caused by heavy vehicles. One can assume that this relentless absence of regulation, accountability and punishment has driven citizens to take matters in their own hands, fostering a narrative in which the legal system is no longer trusted to deliver justice.
Motorcyclists remain among the most vulnerable on Karachi’s roads, which is a reality that demands strict measures regarding road safety regulations and practices. The Karachi Traffic Police attempted a crackdown on dumper trucks back in April, aiming to address traffic violations related to licence-less driving, speeding and vehicles operating without fitness certificates. Similarly, the police force must address unsafe practices among motorcyclists also, through targeted enforcement. Instances of underage motorcyclists riding without helmets and licences are far too common in this city. While on one hand, authorities must intensify their policing of heavy vehicles, they should also ensure that every driver on the road complies fully with the law regardless of the type of vehicle. Furthermore, regulation will not suffice if not accompanied with accountability. Authorities must also impose heavy penalties for violations to complement their ‘zero-tolerance’ posturing, otherwise the blatant lawlessness on Karachi’s roads will only continue to worsen.
Until such reforms are institutionalised, the Gulshan-e-Iqbal accident is at risk of fading into yet another entry in a long, grim list of accidents – and with each new calamity, public trust in the state’s ability to protect its citizens will only erode further. Karachi’s roads are now in dire need of order and a strict rule of authority.
