Uneven traffic enforcement

As a student living in Lahore for my higher studies, one thing I frequently notice at signals is that traffic cops fine specific sorts of traffic offenders. They routinely stop chinchi rickshaws, overweight vehicles, and motorcyclists who do not wear helmets or have three individuals riding on the same bike. This is a significant step towards public safety, demonstrating that traffic officers are working to make the roadways safer. However, one thing that constantly puzzles me is how the same traffic cops ignore family motorcyclists. Many people ride without helmets with their families and often have their children on the bikes too, also without helmets. These children are more vulnerable to accidents. However, the cops do not appear to stop or fine them.

This poses critical questions. Why aren’t family motorbike riders subject to the same safety standards? Why aren’t these high-risk motorcyclists, particularly those with children, asked to observe the helmet rule? This selective enforcement of traffic laws raises questions about road safety. Helmets are critical for protecting motorcyclists from catastrophic injuries, especially kids. Ignoring this endangers their lives and undermines our efforts to improve road safety.

Moin Ahmed Awan

Lahore