For the first time in Karachi’s history, traffic police have started drug testing drivers of heavy vehicles. This move follows a recent rise in deadly road accidents involving trucks, tankers, and dumpers. The operation is taking place on Sher Shah Road, where a large number of police officers and medical staff are working together. They are stopping heavy vehicles and taking blood samples from drivers for drug testing. These samples are being sent to the laboratory for analysis.
According to traffic police, strict action will be taken if any driver tests positive for drugs. Along with drug tests, the police are also checking vehicle papers and driving licenses. If drivers are found without proper documents, they are being fined on the spot. This shows that the police are not only targeting drug use but also ensuring road safety through legal enforcement.
So far, many drivers have been tested and several challans have been issued. This campaign comes after several months of deadly accidents caused by heavy vehicles. Most of the victims in these accidents were motorcyclists. As a result, public anger grew and some people even set fire to tankers involved in the crashes.
After these events, the government tightened traffic laws across the city. Police began fining motorcyclists without helmets and confiscated over 43,000 motorcycles. They also seized cars with tinted windows and made it mandatory for heavy vehicles to follow set timings and SOPs when entering the city. These steps helped reduce accidents significantly.
Now, with the start of drug testing for heavy vehicle drivers, officials hope to make roads even safer. This effort shows a strong commitment to preventing avoidable deaths and injuries. It also sends a clear message that the government will no longer tolerate reckless behavior by drivers. The public response so far has been supportive, as many see this as a much-needed change.