Following Sindh’s lead, the Punjab cabinet has approved amendments to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965, significantly increasing traffic violation fines, with penalties now proposed to go as high as Rs20,000.
After cabinet approval, the summary containing 20 amendments to the ordinance has been forwarded to the Punjab Assembly for final approval.
According to the summary, current fines ranging from Rs200 to Rs1,000 will now be revised to Rs2,000 to Rs20,000 under the new structure.
For overspeeding, the proposed fines are as follows:
- Motorcycles: Rs2,000
- Cars up to 2000cc: Rs5,000
- Cars above 2000cc: Rs20,000
- Commercial and public transport vehicles: Rs15,000
- The summary also proposes the following penalties:
- Traffic signal violations: Rs2,000 to Rs15,000
- Lane or zebra crossing violations: Rs10,000
- Using a mobile phone while driving: Rs2,000 to Rs15,000
- Allowing underage individuals to drive: Legal action to be initiated
It has been made mandatory for the front-seat passenger in a car to wear a seatbelt, while action is also proposed against those modifying vehicle designs without authorization.
The summary recommends giving legal status to digital challans and computerized driving licences. Moreover, under the amended law, pillion riders on motorcycles will also be required to wear helmets.
A point-based traffic violation system is also being introduced, under which 2 to 4 points will be deducted for various offences. Once a driver accumulates 20 penalty points, their driving licence will be
