Lax motorway police letting violators escape

Rampant traffic rule violations go unchecked by authorities

ISLAMABAD:

Constructed in the 1990s as one of the country’s flagship projects, the motorways of Pakistan provided a convenient travelling facility to commuters who had to otherwise use the Grand Trunk Road and other arteries leading to different cities from the federal capital.

The Islamabad-Lahore (M-2) and Islamabad-Peshawar (M-1) motorways were known for compliance with traffic rules, with honking and screeching rare and the police vigilant to ensure violators were penalised.

In recent years, however, the policing quality has deteriorated. Passenger buses, loader vans and privately-driven vehicles violate speed limits, lane switching, and other violations resulting in lethal accidents.

In one such accident last month, 13 passengers lost their lives after the driver lost control on one of the turns and crashed.

The particular patch is notorious for sharp turns and slopes and inclines, with a speed limit of 30 kms for heavy transport vehicles. The area between Kala Shah Kaku to Sukheki witnesses similar violations as the patch from Kallar Kahar to Chakri.

The violators include passenger buses and mini trucks ferrying milk, animals and broiler chicken from Punjab to Islamabad and beyond.

These vehicles are notorious for using the center lane and breaching the speed limit. They also overtake vehicles from the left. Meanwhile, bus drivers honk and flash lights at cars, even those travelling in the center lane at the specified speed limit of 120 kms.

Commuters have also complained about mini trucks, travelling at a slow speed, being driven in the fast lane.

Although the motorway police have taken certain measures to streamline traffic on motorways, yet the unruly drivers find space for violations endangering theirs and others lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2023.