RAWALPINDI: The National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) have announced a significant increase in fines for drivers of motorcars, jeeps and sports utility vehicles (SUVs). The updated fine amount will come into effect from October 1.

The increase in fine was approved during a recent meeting presided over by the federal minister for communications at the Central Police Office Headquarters, NHMP, Islamabad to ensure implementation of the revised fine.

Under the latest decision, a driver exceeding the speed limit would be fined Rs2,500 instead of Rs750 and those overtaking will have to pay Rs1,500 fine from the existing Rs300. Similarly fine for failing to yield the right of way to other vehicles has been increased to Rs1,000 from Rs300.

On the other hand, a person driving a vehicle without licence will be fined Rs5,000 instead of Rs750; those driving an unregistered vehicle will have to pay a penalty of Rs2,000 instead of Rs500 while drivers parking on a bridge would be fined Rs750 instead of Rs300.

New penalties to come into effect from Oct 1

The fine for interfering with an emergency vehicle has been increased to Rs5,000 from Rs500; fine for driving at night without proper lights has been raised to Rs5,000 from Rs1,000 and fine for driving on the wrong side of the road has gone up to Rs2,500 from Rs500.

Similarly, fine for ignoring the stop sign has been increased to Rs3,000 from Rs500; fine for following too closely or cutting in too sharply has been hiked to Rs1,000 from Rs300; fine for driving with the rear screen covered has been increased to Rs750 from Rs300. A person jumping the traffic queue will have to pay a fine of Rs1,000 instead of Rs500.

Fine for obstructing traffic has gone up to Rs2,000 from Rs500; penalty for failing to observe slow signs has been increased to Rs2,000 from Rs200 and fine for prohibited lane changing has gone up to Rs1,000 from Rs200. Fine for careless driving has jumped to Rs1,500 from Rs300 and for opening doors dangerously, it has been increased to Rs1,000 from Rs200.

The NHMP has revised the fine for improper turn from Rs300 to Rs2,500, for improper lane usage (lane straddling), from Rs200 to Rs1,000; for driving a vehicle emitting smoke, ashes or oily substances, from Rs500 to Rs1,250. Fine for driving a vehicle producing unduly harsh, shrill or alarming noise has gone up to Rs1,000 from Rs300 and fine for improper U-turn has been raised to Rs1,000 from Rs300.

A person using any kind of mobile phone in a vehicle would be imposed a fine of Rs500 and anyone driving a vehicle without fastening seat belts or travelling in a vehicle that does not have seat belts will be fined Rs1,500. Fine for driving a vehicle without side mirrors or with bad mirrors will be Rs500 and the fine for driving a vehicle with the installation of unlawful police lights will be Rs5,000.

Fine for driving a vehicle with a fancy registration plate will be Rs1,000; Rs2000 for using high-intensity discharge lights that disrupt other drivers’ vision and Rs1,000 for evading the law by improvised tinting of glass.

All regional commanders, zonal commanders and field formations have been directed to launch briefing campaigns and ensure the distribution of pamphlets and brochures regarding the implementation of the revised fine amount on a priority basis for the awareness and sensitisation of drivers, commuters, passengers and the public.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2023