Rising traffic accidents in Karachi are taking a heavy toll on motorcyclists, causing numerous fatalities and leaving many others with lifelong injuries.
With over 4.2 million registered motorcycles on Karachi’s roads, and 128,000 new registrations in 2024 alone, motorcycles now make up 64% of the city’s transportation. This surge in numbers has raised pressing concerns about road safety and the enforcement of traffic rules.
Motorcyclists are often the most vulnerable, suffering severe injuries whether colliding with objects or being struck by other vehicles. Contributing factors to the increasing number of accidents include untrained riders, disregard for traffic rules, poor lane discipline, speeding, and the absence of side mirrors.
Thirty-year-old Muhammad Rizwan, recovering from a motorcycle accident, shared his experience from the emergency ward at Jinnah Hospital: “My bike slipped, and now I’ve come to Jinnah Hospital. I’ve had my wound dressed, and let’s see what happens next.”
Another victim, Alam Zeb, recounted, “I was riding my bike when a speeding car hit me from behind. That’s why I got injured and ended up in the hospital.”
Dr. Irfan, an emergency ward doctor at Jinnah Hospital, described the situation as alarming: “There’s a lack of traffic rule enforcement. Wrong turns, bike slips due to poor infrastructure, overspeeding, underage riders, and missing side mirrors are common issues.”
“Since last year, we’ve seen a 15% to 20% increase in cases, along with a rise in the severity of injuries,” he added.
DIG Traffic Ahmed Nawaz pointed out that enforcement is underway, with over 4,000 tickets issued in the past two weeks to motorcyclists lacking side-view mirrors. He stressed the importance of safety measures: “Motorcycles should have functioning front and back lights, side-view mirrors installed and used, and helmets worn. Following these rules can greatly reduce the chances of serious accidents.”
Experts emphasize that 97% of emergency room cases are related to motorcycle accidents, highlighting the need for public awareness campaigns. Educating riders on traffic rules, along with strict adherence to safety measures such as lane discipline, side mirrors, and helmets, is crucial in reducing accidents.
Without widespread adoption and strict enforcement of these measures, Karachi’s roads will remain dangerous for its motorcyclists.
