Missing signboards raise safety hazards

Where most urban areas with developed road networks utilize road signboards for a smooth flow of traffic, the city of Quaid lets drivers cruise at their will.

While the majority of drivers are unaware of traffic rules, those who have the relevant knowledge are unable to make use of it since a majority of the roads and highways in Karachi have either missing or worn-out traffic signs, leading to a chaotic situation on roads, where drivers are unaware of the directions they are heading or the landmarks they are approaching.

According to urban planner, Muhammad Toheed,”It is unfortunate to note that that most populous city in the country, is lacking mandatory traffic signs, which are crucial for the steady flow of traffic and the safety of the drivers.”

Indeed, many citizens report the road hazards that arise out of a paucity of traffic signs on major road networks. “Despite knowing all the traffic signs, I cannot drive safely since the signboards for U-turns, pedestrian crossings, speed limits and landmarks, are all missing,” complained Mehwish, who regularly delivers food to various office employees in her car. “As a result, many road accidents occur regularly,” she added.

While some citizens like Mehwish are cognizant of the meaning and importance of traffic signs, others are completely unaware. As Mohammad Sohail, an officer associated with a government agency, noted, “A majority of the car drivers on Karachi’s road are clueless about the meaning of the various traffic symbols. In such a situation, frequent traffic accidents are bound to occur.”

According to former inspector general (IG) Sindh, Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti, the traffic police must ensure that every citizen who is issued a driver’s license is able to identify all of the traffic signs on the roads. “There are almost 80 traffic signs which are used to regulate the steady flow of traffic, and the traffic police must ensure that drivers possess this knowledge before they are allowed to drive.”

In fact, adequate knowledge and widespread usage of traffic signs, comprising triangular cautionary signs and circular mandatory signs, is indispensable for ensuring the safety of not only the drivers and passengers but also the pedestrians.

“Countless pedestrians are victims of road accidents everyday because basic traffic signs like zebra crossings do not exist,” highlighted Toheed.

While signboard symbols would fall under more sophisticated road language, even basic roadside indicators and reflectors which demarcate the high speed traffic lanes from the other parts of the road, are out of sight. As Rameez Ahmed Khan, a local citizen, pointed out, “Cat’s eyes, road studs and reflective stickers, all of which are compulsory for road safety, are missing; and the concerned authorities show no eagerness to install them anytime soon.”

Furthermore, even when some signboards are present, they are either covered with advertisement stickers or their markings have faded away.

Where the unavailability of signboards risks the safety of car drivers, it presents an even bigger threat to those who frequently travel on two wheels, like Sheikh Mohammad Zaid, a local school librarian. “You can neither spot signboards next to open manholes nor can you see indicators on huge loading trucks at night. For people like me, who ride the motorcycle, our lives are at stake,” said Zaid.

When quizzed about the disregard for the safety of people like Zaid, the spokesperson of Karachi Development Authority (KDA) said, “we have initiated a scheme to install digitalized signboards and speed monitoring cameras throughout the city. On ground work on the project will start soon.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2023.