THIS is with reference to the report ‘Govt holds talks with opposition, transporters to curb traffic accidents’ (Feb 19). In the last few weeks, there have been a number of reported incidents in which dumpers, trawlers and tankers have claimed inn-ocent lives in various areas of Karachi.
Instead of regulating the transporters’ functional hours on the city’s streets, the provincial government has been simply ‘negotiating’ with the so-called stake-
holders. The ‘talks’ continued even when truck drivers were continuing to kill people on the roads across Karachi with their unruly and reckless driving that has for long been a menace.
The key issue surrounding the whole matter is the incompetence of the drivers. Almost all of them hail from areas outside of Sindh. These upcountry drivers know that if an accident does occur, they can flee to their hometowns, away from Sindh’s jurisdiction. Indeed, they do just that.
Enraged mobs often set fire to the vehicle (as can be seen in the accompa-nying image), but it is the driver, not the vehicle, that is at fault.
The United States has 50 states, each with its own driver education and vehicle fitness requirements. California has one of the toughest requirements.
As such, trucks operating in and out of California are required to have both a federal and a California Department of Transportation number, which certifies that the transporter has met the requi-rements. That is a good roadmap to follow.
Pakistan is a country where for some meagre sum, one can obtain a driving licence delivered to one’s home, without a medical or drug test. Sindh must take control of this lawlessness, and stop relying on the other provinces.
All drivers in Sindh must get a driver licence from within the province, or at least a competence add-on that requires a one week in-class education and at least 16 hours of urban driving with a Sindh-certified driving instructor prior to the final grant of the provincial certification.
All drivers must be tested for drugs as they enter the province. A medical examination should be required at specific time intervals. At entrance, the trucks must be inspected for road fitness. Parts, such as tyres, brakes, suspension and steering system, are key components. They must meet manufacturers’ specifications.
If a truck driver comes to a Sindh border with a truck, he can either turn back, or hire a Sindh-licensed driver to operate in the province. Driving a heavy vehicle in the Sindh without such a certification should be punishable by a heavy fine or imprisonment, or, preferably, both.
Besides, in order to cover the cost of the arrangement, all trucks entering Sindh must pay an inspection fee upon arrival.
Syed Shams Naqvi
Lafayette, USA
Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2025
