ISLAMABAD: The driving licence of traffic rule violators would be suspended under the Penalty Point System, which is on the anvil, said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Qazi Jameelur Rehman on Friday.

Addressing a news conference, he said a licence holder would be awarded 10 points at the time of the issuance of the licence and their deduction would start on commission of traffic violations. The licence would be considered suspended on deduction of all the 10 points, he added.

The initiative is meant to curb traffic rules’ violations in the federal capital. He appreciated the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) for ensuring safe-road environment in the city through inclusive steps.

He mentioned the online appointment system, which was launched by the ITP to facilitate the motorists for issuance of driving licences in the wake of the coronavirus restrictions. He said the chip-embedded driving licences were being issued by the ITP to curb doctored ones.

Modern technologies are being adopted by the ITP to fully facilitate the citizens in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s digital Pakistan vision, the IGP said, adding special teams would be constituted for patrolling on highways as well as link roads connecting residential sectors with the major avenues.

The initiative is meant to respond to any untoward incident on the roads, he added.

Says licence to have 10 points and each point will be deducted on every violation

Around 13 speed cameras have been installed across the major thoroughfares of the city to check speeding, the IGP said, adding a campaign ‘Organised traffic safe roads’ would also be launched to sensitise the citizens on traffic laws so that ratio of accidents could be reduced.

Initially, the drive would be launched with 12 vehicles and 14 motorbikes on major avenues. The ITP has evolved a new strategy for traffic management system to reduce road mishaps.

Under the new strategy, teams comprising 211 officers have been constituted and provided 52 motorcycles and 44 vehicles. They would perform duties in two shifts in addition to their routine work, he added.

The special public service vehicles (PSVs) squads will perform duties in Faizabad, Pirwadhai, Bhara Kahu, Aabpara, Khanna, Islamabad Chowk and Karachi Company, he said. The Eagle Eye Team would report violations to the nearest enforcement unit through covert monitoring so that effective action could be taken.

A Quick Response Team has been formed to resolve chronic traffic problems such as lane violations, parking and rush hours. The IGP said 1915 help unit was fully operational, urging the motorists to contact it in case of any emergency or vehicle breakdown.

Seven vehicles of Fitness Squad were attached with the environment department to control pollution in the city that would also ensure route checking. So far, ITP has issued 187,586 challans to drivers over various traffic violations.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic Farrukh Rasheed said a campaign Munazim Traffic, Mehfooz Sarkain was being launched in the capital. A part from routine duties, 52 motorcycles, 44 patrolling cars and 211 ITP officers/officials will be deployed for the campaign to ensure strict implementation of traffic laws.

The Special Squad, comprising seven vehicles and 18 officials/officers, will check intra-city public service vehicles (PSVs), violating prescribed routes, charging extra fares, overloading and misbehaving with passengers, the SSP said. The squad will check/monitor all PSV routes and take action against the delinquents.

The Line Patrol Unit, comprising 12 vehicles, 14 motorcycles and 26 officers/officials, will patrol Islamabad Expressway from Rawat T-Cross to Faisal Mosque. Mr Rasheed said it will ensure smooth flow of traffic on all major highways, especially monitoring lane discipline of heavy traffic and motorcyclists.

The Eagle Eye Team, comprising nine officers, will perform duty on seven major pedestrian bridges in Islamabad to have a bird’s eye view of traffic on roads. Each official will have a wireless set to communicate message to the next point of duty officer to stop and check the violating vehicle.

The Quick Response Team, comprising one vehicle and 12 motorcycles, will work in rush hours to ensure smooth flow of traffic at congestion points. Two help units of the ITP will be continuously in mobile position on the expressway and Srinagar Highway to help road users facing any mechanical issue in their vehicles.

The SSP said 10 speed cameras were already working on roads to monitor speeding, adding ITP officials will also be deployed for better enforcement in Red Zone, police checkposts and sensitive areas.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2021