RAWALPINDI: In a bid to address the widespread issue of motorbike riders not wearing helmets, the City Traffic Police has mandated that riders must show their helmet to any traffic or ticketing officer when submitting a challan. If the helmet is not displayed, the motorcycle will not be returned.

A City Traffic Police spokesman said that the crackdown on motorcycle riders without helmets has begun. Riders will now have to present their helmets along with their challan.

CTO Beenish Fatima stated that, in addition to issuing challans to riders without helmets, their motorcycles are also being locked in nearby police stations. To retrieve their bikes or documents, citizens must present their helmets to the traffic or ticketing officer. If the helmet is not produced, the bike will not be returned.

The CTO emphasised that this initiative aims to enhance road safety and maintain order. She urged citizens to comply with traffic rules, wear helmets, and support the City Traffic Police’s efforts for safer roads.

She announced that the Cantt driving school has been fully renovated and now operates in two shifts, including a fully lit night licensing track. The school serves the Sadar, Cantt, and Rawal Road areas.

Additionally, the district police, in collaboration with the City Traffic Police, have conducted rigorous checks on the fitness, route permits, and licenses of public service vehicles. In the last 25 days, 4,833 public service vehicles were challaned and 636 impounded.

According to the police spokesperson, fines amounting to Rs 52 lac and 55 thousand were imposed for traffic violations. Legal action was taken against 422 drivers for driving without licenses, and 27 drivers had their licenses cancelled for negligence while 39 cases were registered against drivers and owners of public service vehicles.

The police have committed to legal action against those endangering public safety. Many public service vehicles were also found operating with blacked-out windows and unspecified registration plates

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2024