For the first time in Karachi, traffic police have launched a major operation against heavy vehicles, initiating drug testing for their drivers following earlier crackdowns on motorcyclists.
According to media reports, this marks the first time in Karachi’s history that drivers of heavy vehicles are undergoing drug tests. A large contingent of traffic police, accompanied by medical personnel, is participating in the operation on Shershah Road.
Traffic police said that heavy vehicles in the first lane are being stopped, and blood samples from drivers are being collected for laboratory testing.
If any drug test results come back positive, legal action will be taken, officials confirmed. In addition to drug testing, authorities are also inspecting vehicle documents and driving licenses.
Several drivers’ blood samples have already been collected, and fines are being issued in cases where drivers fail to produce valid documents or licenses.
It is worth noting that at the beginning of this year, Karachi saw a sharp rise in accidents and fatalities involving heavy vehicles. Over the course of four consecutive months, dozens of citizens lost their lives in collisions with dumpers, trucks, and tankers.
Angry citizens, in response, started setting fire to the vehicle held responsible which led to the government’s intensified efforts to enforce traffic laws.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for heavy vehicles and strict regulation of their entry timings into the city were enforced. These measures have since led to a noticeable decline in such accidents.
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