KARACHI, May 20: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has said that traffic police are responsible for the increase in traffic accidents in Karachi as they are not implementing relevant rules. He was speaking at a symposium on road safety held at the Driving Licence Branch under the auspices of the traffic police department in collaboration with city government, Sindh Police, CPLC and the Physicians for Safe Roads here on Friday.

Mr Siddiqui, stressing that more such programmes should be organized in order to create awareness in masses about traffic rules and regulations, observed that the rising graph of fatalities in road accidents had assumed an ‘alarming proportion. “The traffic police must take practical measures to ensure a reduction in the number of accidents and casualties.”

In this regard, he impressed upon the traffic police to initiate road safety awareness programmes, saying that such initiatives would attain good results. He also suggested displaying posters at public places to ensure observance of traffic rules, safe driving, etc on the part of drivers.

The minister pointed out that a number of roads in the city did not have footpaths for pedestrians, and asked the traffic police to contact the department concerned for remedial measures.

He recalled that he had been advising the traffic police to streamline flow of heavy traffic on certain sections. Although it involved only four per cent of the total vehicular movement in the city, the directive was not followed and fatal road accidents did continue.

The minister also advised pedestrians to use footpaths wherever possible and take extra care while crossing roads. He said pillion riders must use helmets and drivers must not resort to rash driving.

Speaking at the symposium, DIG Traffic Yameen Khan indicated that ratio of youth was high in those involved in reckless driving and causing fatal accidents.

Quoting statistics, he said 44 per cent cars, 38 per cent motorcycles, two per cent minibuses and trucks, and three per cent rickshaws made the vehicular traffic moving on the city roads.

He referred to the amendments made to the relevant laws and rules under which people using mobile phones while driving could be fined up to Rs500 and those not using seat belts Rs250.

Head of the JPMC’s Neurosurgery department Prof Rashid Jooma said that 767 cases of critical injuries in road accidents were reported to his department last year. Most of the victims, he added, sustained head and spinal cord injuries. He suggested holding of training workshops to create awareness in masses on road safety.

Chief of the CPLC Sharfuddin Memon said that traffic police should ensure a smooth flow of traffic and drivers must observe the prescribed speed limit.

Visiting Indian Professor Danesh Mohan said traffic problem in most of the major cities in his country was similar to that in Karachi.—PPI