CAMERAS have been installed across Karachi to monitor and manage road traffic, with the stated objective of improving traffic discipline and ensuring compliance with traffic laws. However, despite millions of rupees being collected through e-challans, there appears to be no visible improvement in traffic flow.

A large proportion of these challans are issued for relatively straightforward violations, such as riding a motorcycle without a helmet or driving a car without fastening a seatbelt. While enforcement of these basic safety regulations is important, traffic management should not become synonymous with merely imposing fines. It should incorporate broader strategies, such as better infrastructure, education of drivers and optimisation of traffic flow.

The situation on major roads remains a matter of concern. The traffic police had announced measures to improve traffic flow on Sharea Faisal and identified specific regulations for motorcyclists, rickshaws and heavy vehicles. Yet, unfortunately, little seems to have changed on the ground. Motorcycles continue to weave dangerously through traffic, rickshaws frequently occupy inappropriate lanes, and heavy vehicles disrupt the normal flow of traffic.

Millions of rupees are being collected through traffic challans, but there is no visible improvement in traffic discipline and congestion. Why? The purpose of traffic enforcement should be prevention and correction, not revenue generation.

Cameras should be used as part of a comprehensive traffic management system that identifies dangerous intersections, lane violations, wrong-way driving, illegal parking, reckless driving and other practices that directly contribute to accidents and congestion.

Besides, the authorities should publish regular data showing how the revenue collected through automated challans is being utilised, and whether measurable improvements in road safety and traffic flow have resulted. Such transparency would help reassure citizens that the system is designed primarily for public safety rather than revenue collection.

Karachi needs effective traffic management, not more challans. Enforcement must ultimately be judged by safer roads, better discipline and smoother traffic, not by the amount of money collected.

Prof Asaad Javaid
Karachi

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026