Deadly dumpers

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Amidst grave political and criminal turmoil, Karachi faces yet another deadly threat as unregulated heavy vehicles continue to claim lives. In the past two days, dumper trucks have caused two fatal accidents, killing five motorcyclists. The first incident claimed three lives, including of a couple, while the second left a family critically injured with the father and his 13-year-old son eventually succumbing to their injuries. According to traffic police reports, at least 39 people have been killed this year in accidents involving heavy vehicles, including water and oil tankers, trailers and dumper trucks. These alarming statistics bring light to the only meaningful explanation: that these are not isolated incidents but glaring examples of a systematic failure to regulate heavy vehicular traffic.

The city administration has banned movement of heavy vehicles from 6am to 11pm within the metropolis, except for three dedicated major freight routes. But not only do vehicle owners blatantly disregard these regulations, they are also routinely involved in reckless driving and are known to unabashedly flee the scenes of their crimes. This gross negligence has cost citizens insurmountable grief, yet the severity of their losses does not seem to awaken the authorities that are responsible. While the Sindh governor has called for an action plan within a week, none of the relevant officials have even come up with any customary statement, as if nothing has happened at all.

It is important that to call upon those who are in positions of power and compel them to take charge of responsibilities that they undertake as per their own convenience. The Sindh minister of transport and mass transit recently emphasised on the importance of road safety education at an event, but remains silent on this issue as of yet. This silence on the part of the minister is shocking, and so is the lack of justice for families that have been torn apart due to sheer irresponsibility.