The Punjab Law Department has officially issued a new ordinance regarding traffic law violations. Effective immediately, the Punjab Traffic Police has started the implementation of these new fines across the entire province. The authorities have increased penalties significantly to ensure road safety and compliance.
Consequently, drivers must exercise extreme caution. As the official announcement states:
New traffic laws have arrived; if a mistake is made, there will be a heavy fine.
The most notable change is the massive increase in speeding fines. Penalties for over-speeding have gone up by 300%. Currently, motorcyclists must pay Rs. 2,000 for speeding, while car drivers face a Rs. 5,000 penalty.
Furthermore, the police have categorised traffic signal violations by vehicle size. Motorcycles and rickshaws face fines of Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000, respectively. However, the costs are higher for larger transport. Cars face a Rs. 5,000 fine. Vehicles up to 2000cc must pay Rs. 10,000, and those exceeding 2000cc face a Rs. 15,000 penalty.
The ordinance introduces severe punishments for dangerous driving behaviours. For instance, a one-way violation now carries a potential 6-month imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs. 50,000. Additionally, driving without a fitness certificate leads to imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 100,000.
The authorities are also cracking down on underage driving. The punishment for this offence has doubled. Moreover, the police will hold parents responsible for underage drivers. Tinted windows also carry a heavy penalty of up to 6 months of imprisonment.
To modernise the system, the Punjab Traffic Police has made challans fully electronic through E-Ticketing. Alongside this update, seat belt compliance is mandatory. The front passenger must wear a seat belt at all times.
Finally, the department is targeting environmental pollution. Smoke-emitting public transport vehicles face a fine of Rs. 15,000. Smaller vehicles are not exempt either. Motorcycles and three-wheelers face fines of Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000, respectively.
Citizens must carry all necessary documentation to avoid strict action. Obey traffic laws and stay safe.