Karachi authorities have rolled out a series of new traffic and road safety measures in response to a rising number of accidents, aiming to tighten road discipline and reduce casualties across the city.
In a statement released by the Karachi Traffic Police, the new regulations were finalised during a high-level meeting led by the Inspector General of Sindh Police. Senior officials, including the Additional IG Karachi, the Commissioner Karachi, and representatives from various transport and law enforcement bodies, were in attendance.
The new rules focus particularly on heavy vehicles, motorcyclists, and rickshaws. Heavy vehicles are now required to install side railings and underrun bars to prevent smaller vehicles from becoming trapped underneath them. Additionally, the use of GPS trackers, dash cams, rear-view cameras, and cabin cameras has been made mandatory to monitor driver behaviour and collect evidence in case of accidents.
Oil tankers, prone to tipping over due to unstable liquid movement, must now be fitted with buffer plates to minimise this risk. Furthermore, drivers will undergo regular drug and fatigue tests to ensure they are fit to operate their vehicles. Strict penalties will also be imposed on water tankers responsible for spilling water on the roads, a known hazard for motorcyclists.
For motorcyclists, helmet use has been made mandatory across the board, with a strict crackdown planned for violators. Additional safety measures include requiring motorcycles to have functional chain covers, headlights, taillights, hazard lights, indicators, and clearly visible registration plates on both sides. The installation of rear-view mirrors is also compulsory.
Motorcyclists have been specifically warned against using the middle or right lanes of the road, with fines awaiting those who do not comply. Authorities also stressed the importance of carrying a valid driving licence at all times, as enforcement will be intensified.
To boost traffic monitoring, Karachi will see the deployment of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to catch offenders running red lights or crossing stop lines. Speed cameras will also be installed to enforce speed limits, while lane-monitoring cameras will track drivers who violate lane discipline. Repeat offenders could face additional fines of PKR 2,500 on top of existing penalties.
Rickshaw drivers have been hit with new restrictions as well, with the authorities banning extra-seater rickshaws from several major roads, including I.I. Chundrigar Road, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Khaliq-uz-Zaman Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, and Rashid Minhas Road.
Authorities stated that further measures will be introduced in stages to strengthen road safety. “These initiatives are designed to promote responsible driving, prevent accidents, and make our roads safer for everyone,” a spokesperson for the Karachi Traffic Police said.
The enforcement of these new rules is expected to be strict, with severe penalties for those who fail to comply.
