Traffic jams have become the norm on major highways because of the growing trend of blatant violation of one-way traffic rules.
Besides encroachments, violation of one-way traffic law by motorcyclists, rickshaws, taxi drivers and ordinary road users flow of traffic is being disrupted. Violation of one-way traffic rules on major highways of inner city and Cannt, including Murree Road, Raja Bazaar, Bank Road, Bani Market, Syedpur Road, Rashid Minhas Road, Airport Road, Rawal Road, Pirwidhai Road, Peshawar Road, Mall Road have become common site.
Citizens who follow traffic rules said that violation of one-way traffic law disrupts traffic on major highways, causes disruption of traffic flow which not only causes inconvenience to the common road users but also make it difficult for ambulances and other relief services vehicles to pass.
They added it was very disturbing that traffic wardens did not take any action regarding one-way violations.
Read CTO wants smooth traffic flow in Murree
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rai Mazhar Iqbal talking about violation of one-way law on major highways said that at present there is severe traffic pressure in Rawalpindi due to lack of parking plazas. In Rawalpindi, 1.5 million motorist and 2 million motorcyclists commute daily. However, there are no special parking arrangements throughout the city.
Citizens park cars and motorcycles outside plazas during rush business activity which cause traffic jams on roads, he said, adding that the number of traffic challans issued in the last six months is high as compared to last five years. Traffic wardens issue 2,000 to 2,500 challans daily for violation of traffic rules.
Iqbal said that the same situation exists in Murree Valley. There is no parking space in the city, while millions of vehicles enter the city, which disrupts the flow of traffic. Traffic wardens treat those violating one-way rules strictly under the law and no excuse is acceptable, he added.
The CTO further said that as there was a lack of parking and lack of infrastructure in the city. “One-way violations take place when citizens take shortcuts to reach their destination,” he said, adding that citizens should show responsibility too.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2021.
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