Massive traffic jam and accidents in the city have been increased due to unabated violations of signal and one-way traffic rule by drivers of cars, rickshaws, motorcycles and other vehicles, being committed in connivance with the traffic police.
The traffic rules violations and resultant mishaps and vehicular chaos keep increasing day by day in this mega city.
The Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Police, who has issued several warnings, reiterated that his department would take action against violators of traffic rules, under-age drivers, motorcyclists sans helmet and the vehicles without number plates.
But, the subordinate police officials, it seems, taking those orders and warning for granted. As a matter of fact, the high officials of the traffic department don't patrol the city to oversee the performance of their subordinates. They are not seen on the roads for observance of police officials' performance during duty hours.
The nuisance engendered by aforementioned violations has grown to an alarming situation and it can be judged by the fact that drivers hardly bother to follow traffic rules. Mostly, they prefer sneaking through the smallest space or gap to continue traveling.
There are scores of locations in the city where such violations can be observed. The drivers of cars, rickshaws, motorcycles, trucks, etc, seem to have been habitual violators of the one-way traffic rule as many seen plying vehicles on the wrong side of the road resulting in traffic hazards.
They prefer avoiding travel on the right lane through intersections. They do not care even traffic sergeants when they cross the roads despite seeing traffic signal red light.
Bus drivers usually drive very fast which causes accidents. They suddenly halt to pick up passengers not standing on the specified bus stops causing problems for the vehicles coming from behind.
Traffic police officials let them violate rules and always complain shortage of manpower ignoring the fact that even present workforce doesn't perform their duty, honestly.
It is also observed that traffic police officers make no effort to apprehend drivers who violate one-way traffic rule as well as other rules.
The rising numbers of vehicles, overloaded vehicles, wrong-side driving, one-way rule violation, reckless driving, underage drivers and vehicles without number plates are said to be the causes of chaotic traffic and mishaps.
However, police sergeants and other officials concentrate on making money by targeting those motorcyclists or other private vehicles who may bribe them for lack of license, expired license, incomplete documents or some sorts of traffic rules violations. For that purpose, they stand at distance to look for the prey while some stand under the shadow of tree. Many of them ignore the happenings in their surroundings which they deem irrelevant.
Sindh government in the past had announced various measures to control road mishaps and numerous committees and commissions and task forces were formed and several reports were also published. But, little success has been achieved because drivers are encouraged to violate rules when the law enforcers don't shoulder their responsibilities.