Lahore traffic fines likely to see major reduction proposal

LAHORE: The Lahore traffic violation fine system will undergo major changes after officials from the city and commercial vehicle operators conducted their initial discussions.

The Punjab Traffic Police submitted their summary to the provincial government, which includes their recommendation to decrease penalties by 100 to 150 percent across different penalty categories.

Transporters and commercial vehicle operators staged protests against the 2016 government decision, which raised fines to an excessive level. After the government ordered a review, the team developed a new proposal to replace the existing structure.

The new recommendations suggest reducing fines for motorcycles and rickshaws across seven categories, which will establish new minimum penalties at Rs1,000 and maximum penalties at Rs2,000.

The revised structure establishes fines for motor vehicles between Rs3,000 and Rs5,000, which includes both motor cars and motor jeeps with engine sizes up to 2000cc.

The proposed penalties for luxury vehicles will decrease from their previous range of Rs5,000 to Rs20,000 to a new range between Rs2,000 and Rs10,000.

The proposed changes will reduce commercial vehicle fines, which currently range between Rs10,000 and Rs20,000, to new fines that will establish minimum charges of Rs2,000 and maximum charges of Rs10,000.

The Punjab Chief Minister received the summary, which officials sent forward for his approval. The document will move to the provincial cabinet for final approval after the Chief Minister endorses it, which will lead to the official implementation of the new fine structure.