The Punjab government has decided to increase fines for traffic violations by up to ten times.  The decision was taken during a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday.Under the new plan, parents will be held accountable, and FIRs will be registered if underage children are caught driving. Heavy fines for using mobile phones while driving were also agreed upon in principle. Additionally, a ban will be imposed on parking heavily loaded trolleys along major roads.

Strict action will be taken against vehicles operating with broken or nonfunctional headlights. Vehicles carrying dangerously hanging items such as iron rods or protruding parts will be stopped immediately. Cases will also be registered for one-wheeling or dangerously reckless driving. The meeting also reviewed the remodelling of 372 points across Punjab and 77 within Lahore. It was directed that video and photographic evidence must be attached to all traffic challans to ensure transparency. Traffic wardens will now issue challans "in camera" for better accountability. 

CM Maryam Nawaz approved the provision of modern patrol vehicles and advanced equipment to the traffic police. She also ordered the immediate removal of traffic bottlenecks on Bedian Road and other key routes. To help identify and manage traffic congestion in advance, roadside digital screens will be installed. The proposal to change the traffic police uniform was reviewed, and a decision was made in principle to introduce five new categories of traffic officers: Enforcement Officer, Traffic Regulator, Education Officer, Licensing Officer, and Public Service Officer.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)