Punjab Updates Traffic Laws After Six Decades — New Rules, FIRs, Heavy Fines, and Road Bans
Report by “Adil Hussain”
Punjab has entered a new era of road safety after the government introduced major changes to the traffic system. These updates came after almost sixty years. The province followed the same old traffic structure for decades, but the growing number of vehicles and road accidents pushed the government to act fast.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced the new rules and gave all cities only thirty days to follow them. She said that Punjab needs safer roads and more discipline. She also said that the new laws will improve traffic flow and reduce accidents if everyone follows them with honesty.
Higher Fines for Major Traffic Offences
The government increased fines for several common violations. These include overspeeding, dangerous driving, signal violations, overloading, and vehicles that release heavy smoke. Officials believe that low fines encouraged people to break rules again and again. The new penalties now cost more money, and drivers will think twice before repeating their mistakes.
The new system also uses e-challans for more transparency. Cameras will record violations and send online challans directly to the vehicle owner. This step will reduce arguments on the road and make the process clean and fair.
Penalty Points on Licenses
Punjab has also introduced a point-based system for driving licenses. Traffic officers will add penalty points when a driver breaks traffic rules. A few points will not create a major issue, but many points can lead to license suspension. The government wants drivers to value their licenses and drive carefully.
This system is common in many countries. Now Punjab drivers will also follow international standards. The goal is simple. If a person drives safely, he keeps his license. If he drives in an unsafe way, he risks losing it.
Strict Action for Repeat Offenders
The new rules target people who collect many challans but ignore them. Traffic officials can now take strict action against such vehicles. They can impound them. They can even suspend the registration. If the owner continues to ignore the law, the authorities can also auction the vehicle.
The government said that everyone must follow the law. No one will enjoy special treatment. Even government vehicles must pay the same fines as public vehicles.
FIRs for Driving Without a License or Fitness Certificate
Driving without a valid license now brings serious trouble. Police can file an FIR and arrest the driver. The same rule applies to vehicles without a fitness certificate. The government wants every vehicle to stay safe for road use. A weak or faulty vehicle can cause big accidents, and the new law tries to stop that.
There is also a strong warning for parents and vehicle owners. If someone allows an underage person to drive, police can arrest the owner. This step aims to reduce teenage driving, which has caused many accidents in recent years.
New Road Restrictions Across Punjab
Many new restrictions will shape traffic flow in the coming days. Bus rooftop travel now faces a complete ban. Several fatal accidents involved passengers riding on bus roofs, and the government took a final decision to stop this practice.
Qingqi rickshaws will no longer run on five main roads in Lahore. These small three-wheelers move slowly and often create traffic jams. The ban aims to make Lahore’s key roads smoother and faster.
The government also gave thirty days to fix one-way violations. Wrong-way driving is a major cause of head-on crashes in Punjab. The new rules demand strict enforcement to end this behavior.
Changes in U-Turns and Parking Rules
Many U-turns will change soon. Traffic experts want faster movement on busy roads. With better placement of U-turns, vehicles will avoid sudden stops and sharp turns.
Parking laws will also become strict. No one can park on flyovers, bridges, or major highways. These spots block traffic and create dangerous situations. Marriage halls and big venues must provide proper parking inside their premises. They cannot push their guests to park on the road and block traffic.
Clear Targets for Traffic Police
The Chief Minister gave traffic police thirty days to show visible improvement. Officers must stay active on roads. They also need to guide drivers and help them understand the new laws. Performance will depend on how much traffic flow improves in each city.
Public Awareness Campaigns Coming Soon
The government will soon launch large awareness campaigns. These will explain the new laws, new fines, and the responsibilities of citizens. The aim is to educate the public before full enforcement begins.
Punjab now moves toward a modern traffic system. The new rules promise safer roads, stricter action, and more discipline. The government hopes that citizens will support these reforms and bring real change to Punjab’s roads.