KARACHI: In a much-needed move to address harrowing increase in traffic accidents across Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered random drug testing of drivers of heavy commercial vehicles and set the maximum speed limit of 30km per hour within the city to reduce the risk offatalaccidents.

He issued these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting and directed the police and transport authorities to take strict measures to improve road safety and savepeople`s lives.

The CM ordered that all Heavy Transport Vehicles (HTVs), Light Transport Vehicles (LTVs), and Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) were required to be equipped with trackers, dashcams, and underrun protection devices on thefront, sides, and rear.

Underrun protection devices are structures and bars fitted to heavy vehicles to prevent smaller vehicles from running under them, thus minimising damage to the smaller vehicle`s passenger compartment.

Additionally, law enforcement will implement random drug testing for drivers of HTVs, LTVs, and PSVs to promote safe and responsible driving practices.

The meeting held at CM House was attended by provincial ministers, Saeed Ghani, Mukesh Chawla, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, PSCM Agha Wasif, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, Commissioner of Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Adl IG Karachi Javed Odho, Secretary Excise & Taxation Saleem Rajput, Secretary of Transport Asad Zamin, DIG Driving licence Iqbal Dara, DIG Traffic Pir Mohammad Shah and others.

Expressing his displeasure, the chief minister said that the growing number of roadaccidents in Karachi was unacceptable.

`Reckless driving is claiming innocent lives, which is unacceptable,` he said.

He directed the city police to improve traffic discipline by reducing violations through accountability, encouraging responsible driving, and preventing reckless and dangerous behaviour at all costs.

Essential steps The chief minister made essential decisions for safe and secure traffic management in the city.

Installation of safety equipment: The chief minister observed that most of the heavy vehicles were not equipped with trackers and dashcams. Therefore, he made it mandatory that all HTVs, LTVs, and PSVs must now be equipped with trackers, dashcams, and underrun protection devices.

Talking about water tanker regulations, the CM decided that tankers with leaking or noncompartmentalised containers and those lacking baffle plates would be prohibited from road operations to prevent hazardous spills and instability. It is pertinent to mentions that baffle plates are installed inside the tanks of vehicles transporting liquids, to minimise the movement of the liquid.

`This decision must be implemented from today,` the CM said and added that fitness compliance must be ensured.

The CM directed the traffic police that the vehicles with cancelled fitness certificates were impounded and would not be allowed back on roads until deemed roadworthy by the transport department.

Taking an unprecedented decision, the chief minister directed the traffic police to conduct random drug tests on drivers of HTVs, LTVs, and PSVs to ensure safe and responsible driving.

He directed the police to enforce speed limit in the city. `HTVs will be limited to a maximum speed of 30 km/h within Karachi city limits to reduce the risk of fatal accidents,` he ordered.

The CM directed Home Minister Zia Lanjar to introduce a transparent and automated e-ticketing system for effective enforcement of traffic laws.

The chief minister decided to rejuvenate the Traffic Engineering Bureau and placed it under the administrative authority of Mayor of Karachi for improved planning and execution of traffic control measures.

`Point-based system for driving licence holders` The CM in consultation with the trans-port department and the police, decided to introduce a new point-based system to hold licence holders accountable for repeated violations.

The main features of the point system include all drivers starting with 12 points, the points being deducted for violations, and the licence being suspended at 0 points.

The severe violations would be higher in deductions. The points would be restored after a fixed period minor offences for two years and major offences three years.

Under the point deduction structure, two points would be deducted for speeding, driving without a helmet, and failure to wear a seatbelt. Three points deduction for unsafe overtaking, running red lights, and running a stop line.

Five points for reckless driving/ One Way Violation, six points for drunk driving and immediate licence revocation over hit & run.

Mr Shah directed the excise & taxation department and the police to start a crackdown on illegal modifications.

`The operation going on must be made strict against the use of extravagant number plates, tinted windows, unauthorised emergency accessories, and traffic violations such as driving without a valid licence, riding without helmets, triple riding on motorcycles, motorbikes lacking essential safety parts (headlights, taillights, emergency lights, chain covers, and rear-view mirrors).