Each single motorcycle in Karachi carries a minimum of 6-7 passengers along with some baggage. Anybody can witness this scene (not in a circus) but in common practice by Karachiites plying motorcycles on all the roads, including Shahrah-e-Faisal, where a large number of Traffic Police monitor the movement of traffic at short distances.
The driver of such motorcycles, normally a head of the family, gets his wife seated on the back with 2 children in the middle, one child on the petrol tank, one on the extreme rear-side behind the lady with one little 'infant' in her lap (total 7 riders) and also a few items of baggage hanging around.
A person driving a normal-size car, finds it difficult to accommodate 6 additional passengers, despite the availability of broader seating space compared to a motorcycle. Even watching 7 riders on motorcycle, looks so amazing and unbelievable but the foolishly brave drivers of motorcycle do it at a daily routine of life.
God forbid, if he meets an accident with his entire family. It would leave no survivor to carry-forward the name of the deceased family. Such doings are neither a symbol of poverty nor necessity. They must realise that safety of life is more important than risking it for a foolish drive. In case it is necessary, they should travel in a bus or cab.
In all civilised countries and even the under-developing countries, carriage of an infant in the front seat of car is strictly prohibited and punishable for offenders. If a single male or female has to carry an infant or little child, he is bound to strap him/her on a baby cot fixed on the rear seat (not on the front seat) for safety.
Even if a mother is carrying an infant in her lap and the car is being driven by a male with no other passenger, the mother along with infant has to sit on the back seat, leaving the front seat empty. Why are we so un-concerned and careless?
If the public does not understand or defies regulations, it is the duty of the Government quarters to educate them and strictly enforce the implementation of traffic-regulations.
For the safety of precious lives and disciplined driving, the Governor of Sindh is requested to enact a law imposing ban on carriage of 'infants' as well as 'children up to 12 years' and more than 'one adult' by a driver on single motorcycle.
Carriage of Infants and small children on the front seat of the cars should also be banned and strictly restricted to the rear seats of cars. With vigilant monitoring and strict implementation of regulation by Karachi Traffic Police, the desired goal can be achieved successfully in the larger national/public interest.