TOWARDS SAFER STREETS: EVALUATING THE IMPLEMENTATION GAPS IN PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY (2018–2030)

Abstract

This year in Karachi, most traffic accidents that led to the deaths of 64 people were due to drivers not being careful, weak urban infrastructure, and traffic problems caused by major vehicles. When there are few traffic police, and main roads get worn, it increases risks in the streets. And when many people depend on private cars and motorbikes, road conditions suffer (an average of 1,200 are registered each day). A high number of motorcycle accidents happen because 87.5% of affected vehicles are ridden by people who tend not to wear helmets. There have been 207 deaths in three months (2025) and due to $9 billion each year in losses, in addition to social stress, since more than half of those killed are young male earners. Over 500 injuries occur in hospitals every day, which contributes to public health emergencies, while Red Line BRT projects make traffic more difficult for people traveling by road. The National Road Safety Strategy (2018–2030) has not been fully implemented. With projections of an additional 33% more deaths by 2030, revamping infrastructure, raising licensing standards, and ensuring fair public transportation is necessary.