Violators beware! City’s traffic wardens start issuing tickets

Equipped with machines to issue fine receipts on the spot

PESHAWAR: After making sure residents were familiar with the new rules—and new look—of the city’s traffic police, wardens manning the streets have started handing out tickets to violators.

After being tested and rolled out in Punjab, the new warden set-up is slowly taking charge of the city’s traffic problems and will reduce the burden on traffic police. Saturday was the first day of wardens issuing traffic violations.

Talking to The Express Tribune, DSP Traffic Headquarters Asghar Marwat said the system was had a soft launch on June 18 after which stalls were set up along roadsides to create awareness amongst the public about the new wardens who were to enforce rules on the road.

“These wardens have the authority to fine a violator from Rs100 to Rs5,000. No one would be arrested. The violator can pay the fine on the spot,” he said. “Special machines have been provided to traffic wardens to issue tickets there and then.”

This new system will replace the age-old practice of impounding vehicles and putting traffic violators behind bars.

New arm of law

“However, these wardens can arrest a person accused of encroachment under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Act,” Marwat said. Elaborating upon their job description and pay scales, the DSP said the new force will be paid special bonuses and patrolling allowances. Human resources will be managed such that the system remains corruption free, he added. The system is being enforced across the city in three phases, the first of which has already been kick started.

Not just a pretty face

Recommendations are also in place to bring their salaries at par with Motorway Police which trained them in modern traffic management systems. These officials have also been trained by Rescue 1122 medics in first aid to make sure timely assistance can be provided to those injured in road accidents. They will also be provided ambulances across all three zones so in the event of an emergency, the wardens can rush the injured to the hospital.

Sensing competition all around, the traffic police collected Rs10.18 million in fines a month before the enforcement of the warden system.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2015.