Driving in Karachi has become far more than a commute it’s a test of patience, vigilance, and endurance. With persistent road construction, untrained drivers, and growing congestion, in the city is a daily ordeal that affects millions.

Freshly carpeted roads are often dug up within days, construction projects drag on indefinitely and pipeline bursts are so frequent, they barely make headlines anymore.

These never-ending disruptions force drivers to contend with pothole-ridden, uneven roads and abrupt detours, making safe driving nearly impossible. It subsequently results in spike in accidents, sudden swerves to avoid obstacles can lead to anything from traffic slowdowns to serious collisions.

Rush hour only amplifies the chaos. Karachi’s roads transform into a sea of frustrated motorists stuck bumper to bumper, with horns blaring in a futile attempt to make the traffic move.

For many, driving above 40 km/h isn’t even an option not due to fear, but because the road conditions simply won’t allow it. In these tightly packed lanes, even minor incidents like a stalled vehicle, a fender bender, or a poorly executed U-turn can paralyze entire intersections for hours.

But poor infrastructure is only half the story. The city’s roads are increasingly shared with untrained and reckless drivers. Speeding in narrow lanes, disregarding signals, and weaving through traffic have become dangerously common practices.

A particularly troubling trend is the rise in dumper truck accidents. Many drivers dont contain their driving license, proper training or they are operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

To make matters worse, in true desi fashion, drivers slow down or even stop entirely not to help, but to watch heated arguments between drivers, draw crowds, videos are recorded and traffic piles up, turning small accidents into major bottlenecks.

Adding to the pressure is Karachi’s ballooning population. Every year, more people move to the city, bringing with them more cars, more motorcycles, and more demand on an already strained infrastructure.

Yet, despite the evident stress on the road network, meaningful expansion or long-term urban planning remains absent.

In Karachi, survival behind the wheel is the goal. Until infrastructure improves and driver’s education becomes a priority, Karachi’s roads will remain a symbol of urban dysfunction chaos and a congested place to travel.