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Karachi Reduces Speed Limit for Heavy Traffic and Introduces Drug Testing for Drivers
Karachi's new traffic rules: Speed limit for heavy vehicles reduced to 30 km/h, mandatory drug tests for drivers, and stricter enforcement to prevent accidents.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-08
Karachi Reduces Speed Limit for Heavy Traffic and Introduces Drug Testing for Drivers

To tackle the rising number of traffic accidents and ensure the safety of commuters, the Sindh government has introduced new traffic regulations in Karachi. The Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, announced a reduction in the speed limit for heavy vehicles to 30 km/h and made drug tests mandatory for all drivers as part of an effort to curb accidents caused by reckless driving.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting on traffic issues, chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by provincial ministers, including Saeed Ghani, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Zia Lanjar, and Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, among other officials. The meeting focused on the alarming number of road accidents and measures to enhance road safety in the city.

Key Measures:

  1. Speed Limit for Heavy Vehicles:
    The speed limit for heavy transport vehicles in Karachi has been capped at 30 km/h to reduce the risk of accidents involving large trucks and containers. This move aims to control the heavy traffic that contributes significantly to road incidents.
  2. Mandatory Drug Testing for Drivers:
    The government has made drug testing mandatory for all drivers, both heavy and light vehicle operators, to ensure that road safety is not compromised by impaired driving.
  3. Traffic Law Enforcement:
    According to the IG Sindh, more than 1.6 million challans were issued in Karachi in 2024, resulting in Rs 1.33 billion in fines. The authorities have made significant efforts in enforcing traffic rules, with over 512,000 vehicles and 11,287 drivers taken into custody.
  4. Driving License Checks:
    The Sindh Chief Minister directed authorities to conduct checks on the driving licenses of all heavy vehicle operators and mandated the installation of trackers and dash cams in large vehicles for better monitoring and accident prevention.
  5. Reorganization of Traffic Engineering Bureau:
    The Traffic Engineering Bureau will be reorganized and placed under the Mayor of Karachi for better coordination. The Chief Minister emphasized that international standard training will be mandatory for all drivers before they can obtain a license.
  6. Crackdown on Illegal Modifications:
    The Sindh government will conduct a crackdown on illegal modifications such as unauthorized sirens, tinted windows, and illegal number plates.
  7. Motorcycle Safety:
    The government has also directed action against motorcyclists who fail to wear helmets or engage in dangerous riding practices, such as riding triples.
  8. Vehicle Fitness Certificate Enforcement:
    Vehicles whose fitness certificates have been canceled will be confiscated, and re-licensing will be subject to strict scrutiny by the Transport Department.

Future Plans:

To ensure the effective implementation of these measures, the Sindh Chief Minister formed a high-level committee led by the IG Police, which will be tasked with enforcing the new traffic rules and ensuring road safety in Karachi.

These initiatives come after the rising number of road accidents in Karachi, with the loss of lives becoming a major concern. The Chief Minister expressed his deep concern over these accidents, stating that the loss of human lives is unbearable and emphasized the importance of working together to prevent road fatalities.

With the new regulations in place, Karachi is set to take significant steps toward improving road safety and reducing accidents in the city.

 
Tagged:

SindhGovernment

RoadSafety

KarachiTraffic

TrafficReforms

DrugTests
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