LAHORE: The Punjab government is considering a major increase in traffic fines as part of a new proposal aimed at improving road safety and enforcing stricter traffic laws. The proposal, submitted by Punjab Police, suggests increasing fines based on vehicle type and introducing a new penalty system for repeat offenders.
Luxury Cars to Face Hefty Fines
Under the proposed Scaling Traffic Fines System (STFS), fines will be adjusted based on the type of vehicle involved in the violation:
- Luxury vehicles: Fines will be 10 times higher than standard penalties.
- Public transport vehicles: Fines will be 5 times higher than usual.
- General citizens (middle-income drivers): Fines will be doubled compared to current rates.
Authorities believe that wealthier individuals often pay fines without changing their driving behavior, while flat-rate fines unfairly burden lower-income drivers. This new system aims to make penalties more effective for all economic groups.
Stricter Punishments for Repeat Offenders
To discourage repeated traffic violations, the proposal introduces the Traffic Violation Point System (TVPS). Under this system:
- Drivers accumulating more than 29 demerit points in a year will have their licenses suspended for one year.
- For each repeat violation, the fine will increase by 5per cent from the previous penalty.
Implementation and Approval
The proposal was initially approved in a recent meeting attended by senior officials, including the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar. The final decision will be made by the Punjab provincial cabinet.
To ensure smooth enforcement, Punjab’s Digital Challan System will be updated to track violations more effectively. The proposal also suggests amending the Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1958, and the Punjab Provincial Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965, to legally implement these changes.
Why These Changes?
Punjab Police argue that stricter penalties and a better tracking system will reduce accidents and improve compliance with traffic laws. Similar systems in other countries have led to fewer road accidents and better driver discipline. Officials believe these changes will make roads safer and traffic rules fairer for all citizens.
The final decision now rests with the Punjab government, which will determine whether these measures will be enforced in the near future.
