In a disturbing revelation, Karachi has witnessed the tragic loss of at least 110 lives in the preceding 132 days due to collisions involving heavy vehicles, with the most recent fatality occurring on the Northern Bypass.
According to police reports, a high-speed dumper truck collided with a car in the vicinity of the bypass, resulting in the immediate deaths of all three occupants. The deceased were identified as Sulaiman, his son Usama, and their cousin Faraz. The driver of the dumper fled the scene after the accident, abandoning the vehicle.
Family members of the victims confirmed to the media at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital that all three individuals belonged to the same household.
They were traveling from the Northern Bypass towards Gulshan-e-Maymar when the fatal collision took place. Faraz had been married just two months prior, while Sulaiman, a father of four, was employed in the transportation industry.
The bereaved family resides in the Band Murad Norani Hotel area of Manghopir.
The breakdown of fatalities resulting from heavy vehicle collisions in Karachi presents a concerning picture: trailers were responsible for 42 deaths, water tankers for 26, dumpers for 22, Mazdas for 10, and buses for 10.
These incidents underscore the persistent danger posed by heavy vehicles throughout the city, despite the implementation of restrictions by the government. This raises significant concerns regarding the effectiveness of traffic management within the metropolis.
Addressing this escalating crisis, Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi recently mandated the installation of cameras and tracking devices on all heavy transport vehicles (HTVs), including dumpers, water tankers, and oil tankers.
This directive followed the cessation of a strike by goods transporters that had disrupted port operations. As per the new regulations, each HTV must be equipped with three cameras: one facing forward, one facing backward, and one inside the vehicle to monitor driver conduct.
Furthermore, the Sindh government has imposed restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles during daylight hours and enforced a speed limit of 30 km/h within the city. Dumpers are now prohibited from operating on roads between 10 PM and 6 AM.
HTVs will also be outfitted with safety guardrails and trackers, with the data accessible at the DIG Traffic office. Transporters have agreed to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles within a three to six-month timeframe and to submit progress reports every ten days.
