Rising Fatalities Due to Heavy Vehicle Accidents in Karachi

In a concerning development, Karachi has witnessed a significant loss of life due to accidents involving heavy vehicles. Over the last 132 days, at least 110 individuals have died in such incidents. The most recent tragedy occurred on the Northern Bypass.

Law enforcement officials reported that a high-speed dumper truck collided with a passenger car near the Northern Bypass, resulting in the immediate deaths of all three occupants. The victims have been identified as Sulaiman, his son Usama, and their cousin Faraz. Following the collision, the dumper driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the location.

Family members at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital verified that the deceased were from the same household. They were traveling from the Northern Bypass to Gulshan-e-Maymar when the deadly crash happened. It was reported that Faraz had been married recently, and Sulaiman, a father of four, was employed in the transportation industry. The bereaved family resides in the Band Murad Norani Hotel vicinity of Manghopir.

The breakdown of fatalities caused by various types of heavy vehicles in Karachi is as follows:

  • Trailers: 42 deaths
  • Water Tankers: 26 deaths
  • Dumpers: 22 deaths
  • Mazdas: 10 deaths
  • Buses: 10 deaths

These statistics highlight the persistent threat posed by heavy vehicles in the city, despite existing regulations implemented by the government. This raises concerns about the efficacy of traffic management within the metropolis.

In response to the escalating situation, Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi has mandated the installation of surveillance systems 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 impacted port activities. According to the new regulations, each HTV must be equipped with three cameras positioned at the front, rear, and inside the vehicle to monitor the driver’s actions.

Additionally, 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. Furthermore, dumpers are now prohibited from operating on roads between 10 PM and 6 AM.

HTVs will also be outfitted with safety guardrails and tracking devices, with data accessible to the DIG Traffic office. Transport companies have committed to ensuring vehicle maintenance within a three-to-six-month timeframe and to submitting progress updates every ten days.