Driving in Karachi
I started driving on the roads of Karachi. My first ride in my dad's 1985 Toyota Starlet was merely a few kilometers long but I knew that very instant that my joy for driving was to grow in the years to come.
Actually, this is was not exactly when I first drove. I was driving even before I was deemed fully competent to hold the wheel, when I was a little kid with legs barely long enough to reach anywhere in the foot cavity. I was driving sitting on my father's lap controlling the wheel, or so I thought. In my mind, the only things that actually mattered when you drive were the accelerometer and the wheel, I mean who would want to brake anyway, especially when you are 8.
I think one of the reasons he wanted me to be able to drive was so he could keep my away from anything with 2 wheels and an ignition. I remember the motorcycle my dad owned (a brand new Honda CG-125) was sold before his little boy would exhibit the signs that he is ready to grab the handle and go whizzing on the extremely notorious Karachi roads.
Boys will be boys and I believe my dad pulled a wise decision on me allowing me to drive keeping me away from other potentially bad stuff. This in fact brings me to an interesting issue of law enforcement. You see there is no law enforcement on Karachi roads and if you think there is, you my dear, are sadly mistaken unless of course you are referring to the white clan otherwise known as the Traffic Police.
The anonymous wise man once said, "When rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy." It is this state of trance that I see motorists in Karachi surrender to day in day out. I can bet majority of the drivers are not aware of the Highway Code, which incorporates the official practices, signs etc of driving in Pakistan. As long as you can operate your feet and hands to move the car, you are fit to drive as driving is considered more of a right than a privilege.
Perhaps having lived in London for the last 5 years, I have had a chance to reflect upon the various offences we knowingly or unknowingly commit everyday in Karachi:
Only in Ramadan this year, we had 76 road accident deaths in the metropolis and it would be unwise to think an overnight change can happen even if all the corrective policies are implemented. But I am confident that an overhaul of the system, including the police, and widespread campaigns to increase awareness amongst people should bear its fruit on the roads of Karachi, where I still very much like to drive.
Actually, this is was not exactly when I first drove. I was driving even before I was deemed fully competent to hold the wheel, when I was a little kid with legs barely long enough to reach anywhere in the foot cavity. I was driving sitting on my father's lap controlling the wheel, or so I thought. In my mind, the only things that actually mattered when you drive were the accelerometer and the wheel, I mean who would want to brake anyway, especially when you are 8.
I think one of the reasons he wanted me to be able to drive was so he could keep my away from anything with 2 wheels and an ignition. I remember the motorcycle my dad owned (a brand new Honda CG-125) was sold before his little boy would exhibit the signs that he is ready to grab the handle and go whizzing on the extremely notorious Karachi roads.
Boys will be boys and I believe my dad pulled a wise decision on me allowing me to drive keeping me away from other potentially bad stuff. This in fact brings me to an interesting issue of law enforcement. You see there is no law enforcement on Karachi roads and if you think there is, you my dear, are sadly mistaken unless of course you are referring to the white clan otherwise known as the Traffic Police.
The anonymous wise man once said, "When rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy." It is this state of trance that I see motorists in Karachi surrender to day in day out. I can bet majority of the drivers are not aware of the Highway Code, which incorporates the official practices, signs etc of driving in Pakistan. As long as you can operate your feet and hands to move the car, you are fit to drive as driving is considered more of a right than a privilege.
Perhaps having lived in London for the last 5 years, I have had a chance to reflect upon the various offences we knowingly or unknowingly commit everyday in Karachi:
- Seat Belt Pretty much self-explanatory. People don't feel comfortable wearing seat belts (I honestly don't get this one!).
- Horn Again, way too much use of horns on our roads. It adds to the noise pollution, of which we have too much already.
- Jaywalking You can easily spot people crossing major through ways during peak periods despite availability of foot bridges with on-ramps.
- Lane Discipline I have to say until recently the government was to blame for this one. Without proper lane markings it is not right to expect swift traffic but needless to say, Mustafa Kamal has done a great job of ensuring new roads are built to a standard.
- Right of Way The car from the right always has a right of way unless instructed otherwise.
- Roundabout Discipline Roundabouts are great for controlling traffic junctions. However, we must learn to give the right of way to the car from the right on approach and indicate left before the last exist to advise our intention. Although the government strategy of replacing them with traffic signals seems to be working a bit. At least for now!
Only in Ramadan this year, we had 76 road accident deaths in the metropolis and it would be unwise to think an overnight change can happen even if all the corrective policies are implemented. But I am confident that an overhaul of the system, including the police, and widespread campaigns to increase awareness amongst people should bear its fruit on the roads of Karachi, where I still very much like to drive.
Labels: Driving, Karachi, Mustafa Kamal, Pakistan, Police, Roads, Sindh, Starlet, Toyota, Traffic
posted by Saad at
02:32
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