Click it or ticket: Motorists waking up to personal safety needs

ITP seatbelt campaign bearing fruit.

ISLAMABAD:

A campaign launched by the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) to spread awareness among motorists about the use of seat belt while driving has started to bear fruit as most people can be seen following the law. 

The campaign was launched a few months back, with billboards installed at a number of points in the federal capital cautioning motorists to fasten seat belts or be prepared to pay fines of Rs300 per offense.

The traffic police officials strictly monitored the motorists and issued tickets to the violators.  “It’s a fact that people are now more aware of the importance of using seatbelts while driving as the number of people adhering to the law has increased considerably,” said a traffic police official.

“The installation of billboards urging motorists to fasten belts has played an important role in promoting a safety-first culture,” said Ghulam Raza, a motorist.

Another motorist, Imran Baloch was of the view that people were now more concerned about the use of seat belts primarily due to the fear of being fined and the effort they would have undertake while retrieving their driving license after a ticket was issued.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2014.