The Lahore Traffic Police has announced a stricter enforcement campaign against motorcyclists riding without helmets, barring helmetless riders from using several of the city’s busiest roads as authorities intensify efforts to improve road safety.
According to Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi, riders without helmets will no longer be allowed on key routes, including Mall Road, Jail Road, Canal Road, and Main Boulevard.
To ensure compliance, special traffic squads have been deployed at major entry and exit points throughout Lahore.
The crackdown is part of a broader road safety initiative aimed at reducing motorcycle-related deaths, which continue to account for the majority of fatal traffic accidents in the city.
Traffic police statistics show that 96 motorcyclists have lost their lives in 139 traffic accidents so far this year. Authorities say head injuries remain the leading cause of death among riders involved in crashes.
Officials further revealed that motorcyclists account for approximately 73 percent of all fatal road accidents in Lahore, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations.
Motorcycles remain the most common mode of transport in Lahore. Out of approximately 8.2 million registered vehicles in the city, more than 6.1 million are motorcycles.
Traffic officials believe improving helmet compliance is one of the most effective ways to reduce fatalities and serious injuries among road users.
According to the CTO, the ongoing helmet enforcement campaign has already contributed to a nearly 40 percent reduction in severe head trauma cases, demonstrating the life-saving impact of protective headgear.
Authorities emphasized that the campaign is intended to save lives rather than generate revenue through fines.
Previous enforcement drives conducted earlier this year resulted in thousands of challans being issued to riders found without helmets. The police have increasingly relied on Safe City Authority surveillance systems and field patrols to identify and penalize violators.
The latest measures are part of wider road safety efforts across Punjab, where traffic police have fined hundreds of thousands of riders for helmet violations in recent months.
Shirazi urged citizens to wear helmets for their own protection rather than simply to avoid penalties. He stressed that responsible riding, proper helmet use, and adherence to lane discipline are critical to making Lahore’s roads safer.
Traffic officials reiterated that a helmet can significantly improve a rider’s chances of survival in a crash and encouraged all motorcyclists to adopt safety measures before stricter enforcement expands across the city’s busiest road networks.
