KARACHI, Nov 6: The dangerous trend of picking up and dropping off passengers on various flyovers and bridges’ ramps not only causes hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic but may also result in accidents.

The drivers of buses, minibuses and coaches who are frequently seen picking up and dropping off passengers at turnings of various busy traffic intersections are also indulging in the highly dangerous act of stopping their vehicles on the ramps of flyovers and bridges and yet they go unpunished.

Such an unlawful act on the part of these bus drivers forces the vehicles coming from behind to either apply emergency brakes to avoid a collision or take the risk of overtaking, which again is very dangerous.

Although the ramps of almost all bridges and flyovers including those built recently at Hassan Square, Stadium Road and Karsaz, have been transformed almost into bus stops, no action has so far been taken by the traffic police against these grave violations of laws.

The situation is particularly bad near Drigh Road Bridge as its ramp has become a permanent bus stop and commuters can be seen waiting for buses, which often hinders smooth flow of traffic.

Unfortunately, traffic personnel deployed near these bridges or flyovers act as silent spectators and never bother to ask those waiting for buses to move away from these dangerous zones to the designated bus stops.

Besides, the practice of stopping buses, minibuses or coaches in the middle of the road also results in fatal accidents. It has been observed that passengers who are often forced to get down in the middle of the road from moving vehicles are hit by vehicles coming from behind and such scenes can be seen at a number of busy intersections such as Old Numaish, Gurumandir, Liaquatab No 10, Nazimabad Chowrangi No 1, Karimabad, Aisha Manzil, Hyderi, Nagan Chowrangi, Hassan Square, NIPA, Water pump, UP Morr, Banaras Chowrangi, etc.