ITP to increase traffic violation fines

Minimum Rs1,000 to be charged for speeding, overloading, lane violations

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) is planning to increase traffic violation fines to ensure strict implementation of the laws on the federal capital's roads.       A summary for the enhancement in the number of traffic challans has been sent to the Interior Ministry for getting the approval of the competent authority, a senior official in ITP told the media.

Under the new proposed amount for fines, if approved, he said the ITP could impose maximum fine of Rs5,000 against habitual violators. Giving some details, he said the traffic police had proposed Rs1,000 as minimum challan against speeding, overloading, lane violation and the use of tinted glass and heavy silencer.

Three dead in Islamabad traffic mishap

As per existing challans, he said the ITP could fine only Rs100 and Rs300 to those who did not wear helmets and seat belts while driving. Similarly, Rs500 was the highest amount of a challan for jumping the red signal and use of mobile phones while driving, he added.

The threat of heavy fines would help deter the motorists from driving against the traffic as any misadventure on the road could take one or many lives, the official said. He said the awareness drives were not yielding positive results as the number of traffic violations had been gradually increasing with each passing day. He regretted that the ITP was issuing only 2,000 challans per day due to shortage of manpower.

Meanwhile, the capital dwellers have complained about the violations of traffic laws in the city and demanded the deployment of traffic wardens at every intersection.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2019.