Wrong-way driving govt vehicles to be fined Rs200,000

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Friday approved fines for five major traffic violations, including wrong-way driving, which is to be fined at Rs100,000 for private vehicles and Rs200,000 for government vehicles.

Lanjar chaired a meeting to discuss amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules. The session featured comprehensive discussions, consultations and proposals, resulting in effective and practical decisions.

Key decisions included mandatory fitness certification for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles, outsourcing vehicle fitness evaluations to third parties, and a complete ban on the sale of tinted windows, fancy lights and sirens.

The meeting was briefed separately by the law secretary, the transport secretary and the Karachi traffic police chief on the necessary amendments to the Motor Vehicles Rules, the enforcement of traffic regulations, and other essential matters.

The meeting unanimously approved amendments to enforce a complete ban on four-seater rickshaws, and to make it mandatory for water tankers and dumpers to instal trackers and sensors. It was resolved that a comprehensive draft be prepared and submitted to the provincial government for approval and ratification.

Lanjar said services of third parties would be engaged for issuing fitness certificates to commercial and non-commercial vehicles, and formal agreements would be signed with them in compliance with all the applicable regulations.

He said that only two-seater rickshaws would be allowed on roads so that traffic congestion, accidents and rule violations can be reduced. Strict fines for wrong-way driving were also approved.

Government vehicles caught while wrong-way driving will be fined Rs200,000, private four-wheelers Rs100,000 and motorbikes Rs25,000. Driving without a licence will result in a fine of Rs50,000 for cars and Rs25,000 for motorbikes.

A fine of Rs100,000 has been approved for one-wheeling or drifting for first-time offenders, but repeated offences will result in fines of Rs200,000 and Rs300,000. Lanjar also approved the mandatory installation of at least five cameras in heavy/load-carrying vehicles. E-challans for traffic violations will be delivered to vehicle owners’ registered home addresses. Vehicles with unpaid fines will not be allowed to be sold or transferred.

The minister said the traffic, transport and excise systems would now be interlinked and operated online. He also announced that a dedicated traffic magistrate would be appointed to handle traffic law violation cases.

Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla assured full support of his department in enforcing the traffic regulations, and emphasised that no registration or route permit would be issued to four-seater or larger rickshaws (Qingqi).

Chawla said that a crackdown would be launched against any banned vehicles found to be plying the roads. He said that all the organisational steps to establish the vehicle fitness service structure would be completed promptly, after which strict enforcement of fitness requirements would follow.