KARACHI: More than 75 people lost their lives in traffic accidents on city roads in Ramazan, as the authorities and observers agree that rash driving and violations of traffic rules remained comparatively high during the holy month.

Figures gathered from major hospitals and confirmed by the authorities concerned show that 76 people were killed in road accidents on different city roads by the 29th of Ramazan.

'On an average more than two such deaths were reported daily to the city’s major hospitals, which include the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and the Liaquat National Hospital,' said a source citing the recently compiled data.

'Most victims were taken to the JPMC or to the CHK. Interestingly, most of the cases occurred shortly before sunset, indicating the drivers’ deadly haste to reach their destinations before Iftar.'

The fresh figures came as a grim reminder of the rising number of traffic accidents on city roads as fatalities on the roads kept increasing this year. More than 300 people lost their lives in road accidents in the city during the first three months of the year, which is 15 per cent higher than last year’s corresponding period.

The Road Traffic Injury Research and Prevention Centre working at the JPMC, in its quarterly report, blamed public unawareness, lack of pedestrian bridges at sensitive crossings and serious violations of traffic rules mostly by commercial transport for the accidents.

Based on the facts and figures of accidents reported at the city’s trauma centres between Jan 1 and March 31 this year, the report stated that 304 people died in the accidents and 1,377 others received serious injuries, becoming almost paralysed for life.

However, experts said, the alarming rise in casualties during Ramazan indicates severe violations of traffic rules and drivers’ disregard for their own safety as well as that of others.

'Pedestrian and motorcyclists are the most vulnerable to fatal accidents,' said Syed Ameer Hussain at the Road Traffic Injury Research & Prevention Centre in JPMC. 'Particularly in Ramazan, where other factors contribute to fatal accidents, over-speeding before Iftar also adds up.'

In general the critics cited lack of public awareness, less-than-required number of pedestrian bridges at sensitive crossings and serious violations of traffic rules mostly by commercial transport for fatal accidents. But, they added, the situation becomes a little more complicated in Ramazan.

'In many cases we have witnessed that drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians themselves court trouble,' said Ali Raza, superintendent of police, who is responsible for regulating traffic on Sharea Faisal. 'Since we are bound to regulate traffic, we do our best to prevent such accidents but the major problem lies with the drivers mainly in Ramazan, who hardly respect traffic rules.'

City planners and researchers that Dawn spoke to pointed out some roads with unavailability of the required infrastructure as most vulnerable to accidents. However, they said, the role of the city government’s city wardens remained vital in controlling traffic.

'The city wardens largely contribute towards keeping the traffic flow smooth to a large extent,' said Mr Hussain at the Road Traffic Injury Research & Prevention Centre, JPMC. He added that although there had been problems with pedestrians while crossing major roads, any major gridlock was not witnessed this Ramazan.