Punjab

No decline witnessed in traffic violations

Over two million traffic challans issued last year

Muhammad Shahzad January 07, 2023

Commuters are caught in a traffic jam on Shahrae Faisal due to a protest of the PTI workers against the attack on Imran Khan. Photo: express

LAHORE/NEW DELHI:

Traffic woes and violations in the provincial capital could not be improved despite issuance of a ticket to every third vehicle on streets of the provincial capital during 2022.

During the year, the City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) issued 2,113,302 challans which is 5,800 on average daily.

The department even resorted to harsher punishments, to some critics against the law in essence like got criminal cases to stop violations and raising fine to Rs2,000 during its special campaigns.

However, even these did not prove sufficient to make a substantial difference when it comes to obeying traffic rules on the roads of the largest city of the largest province of the country.

It also got over 7,446 that is 20 on average daily criminal cases for different violation.

The highest number 942,331 of tickets which is 2,582 average were issued for driving without using helmets.

As many as 250,000 ie 685 challans daily were issued for driving without licence. At least 17,971 tickets were issued for one way violation. As many as 110,000 for using tainted glasses, 73,000 for using mobile phones, 70,000 against vehicles causing air pollution, 100,000 for wrong parking, 187,000 for sub-standard number plates, 210,000 for applied for and without number plates.

It also got registered at least 7,446 cases registered.

The highest number ie 2,779 cases were registered against encroachments, 877 for rash driving, over 1,200 for one wheeling violation, 2,136 for causing disruption in flow of traffic, 217 for overloading, 72 for establishing illegal parking stands, 252 for causing interference in government affairs and 79 for bogus number plates.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Asad Ejaz Malhi commenting on resorting to harsh penalties even registration of FIRs said that those involved in encroachments, wrong parking and disruption of traffic flow did not deserve any mercy.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2023.