KARACHI, July 6: Poor traffic engineering, careless and hasty driving and lack of awareness about traffic laws are some of the main causes of road accidents in the city.

This was stated in a report, submitted to Sindh police inspector- general by the DIG, Traffic, Karachi, Yameen Khan.

The report said the traffic police asked the city government to take appropriate measures to solve traffic-related problems, which could provide relief to the citizens.

The report pointed out that encroachments, pathetic condition of roads, illegal bus terminuses at many places, excavation of roads without consulting traffic police, conversion of parking spaces in high-rise buildings into commercial outlets, in violation of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) laws and an increasing trend to commercialize residential areas, are some other causes contributing to traffic problems in the city.

The DIG, in his report, said the city government had been sent proposals about amendments in traffic laws and stressed upon mandatory installation of speed governors in all public transport. He also sent a proposal to home department for amendment in existing law about imposition of a ban on using mobile phones during driving.

In his report, Mr Khan stated that 7,536 students of different schools and colleges participated in 57 programmes held for creating awareness about traffic laws during the year 2002.