RAWALPINDI, March 6: The Punjab government has increased penalty for driving offences by about 100 per cent, Dawn learnt on Tuesday.

The provincial government issued a notification and directed the traffic police in all the divisions to immediately enforce the increased penalties.

However, no new offence, like wheeling on motorcycles, has been added to the list.

When contacted, City Traffic Officer Ghulam Abbas Tarar said the penalties for driving offences had been increased by 100 per cent bringing them at a par with that of the motorway police.

It is feared that the heavy increase in penalties would give a chance to the traffic police to misuse their powers to save the offenders or they might face anger of the motorists.

According to the notification, the penalty for driving motorbike at excessive speed will be Rs200, car Rs300 and public service vehicle Rs500. Previously, it ranged between Rs100 and Rs300.

Carrying passengers in a public service vehicle exceeding permissible limit will attract a fine of Rs500 for motorcar/jeep and Rs750 for public service vehicle.

Driving a vehicle on the wrong side will be punishable with a penalty of Rs200 for motorcycle, Rs500 for car and Rs750 for public service vehicle. Earlier, the penalty for such an offence was Rs100 to Rs300.

For driving a vehicle with covered glasses, the penalty will be Rs500 against Rs300 previously.

Violation of traffic signals (electronic or manual) will attract a fine of Rs200 for motorcycle, Rs500 for car and Rs1,000 for public service vehicle. Previously, the fine for motorbike and car was Rs200 to Rs300 and for public service vehicle Rs200 to Rs400.

Overloading goods in a light private or public service vehicle will attract a fine of Rs500 which was earlier Rs100 to Rs400.

Those violating lane or zebra crossing will be fined Rs200 (motorbike), Rs300 (car) and Rs500 (public service vehicle) compared to Rs100 to Rs200 earlier.

The fine for plying a vehicle where and when prohibited will be Rs200 for motorcycle, Rs300 for car/jeep and Rs750 for public service vehicle.

Obstructing driving will attract a fine of Rs200 for motorcycle, Rs500 for car and Rs1,000 for public service vehicle. Previously, the penalty for the offence was Rs100 to 200 for motorcycle and car and Rs300 for public service vehicle.

Those caught in reckless and dangerous driving will be fined Rs300 (motorcycle), Rs500 (car) and Rs1,000 (public service vehicle).

According to the previous list, it was Rs200 to Rs300 for motorcycle and car and Rs300 to Rs400 for public service vehicle.

Driving a vehicle without driving licence will be punishable with a fine of Rs200 for motorcycle, Rs500 for car and Rs1,000 for public service vehicle.

Use of pressure horn, musical horn or any other horn in the silence zone will be punishable with a fine of Rs200 for motorbike/car and Rs750 for public service vehicle. Previously, the fine was Rs100 to Rs200 for motorbike and Rs100 to Rs300 for public service vehicle.

Emitting excessive smoke will invite a fine of Rs200 for motorcycle, Rs300 for car and Rs750 for public service vehicle compared to Rs100 to Rs200 and Rs100 to Rs300 respectively.

Driving unregistered motor vehicles will attract a fine of Rs200, Rs500 and Rs1,000 respectively for motorcycle, car and public service vehicle. Those driving in violation of age limit will have to pay a fine of Rs300, Rs500 and Rs1,000 respectively for motorcycle, car and public service vehicle compared to Rs200 to Rs300 and Rs300 to Rs500 previously.

Driving a public service vehicle without a fitness certificate will invite a fine of Rs1,000 compared to Rs300 to Rs400 besides impounding of the vehicle.

The fine for driving without or in violation of condition of route permit will be Rs1,000 while the penalty for driving a motorcycle without crash helmet has been doubled to Rs200.

Penalty for pillion riding of more than two persons has also been increased from Rs200 to Rs300.

The fine for using mobile phone while driving has been doubled to Rs200 for motorbike, Rs500 for car and Rs1,000 for public service vehicle.

Not fasting seatbelts will invite a fine of Rs500 for car drivers and Rs750 for public service vehicle drivers.

Violation of parking rules will invite a fine of Rs200, Rs500 and Rs1,000 respectively for motorcycles, cars and public service vehicles.

Violation of any other provision of the ordinance or the rules made under section 112 will attract a fine of Rs200 for motorcycle, Rs300 for car and Rs500 for public service vehicle. However, drunken driving is not included in the list of violations and penalties.