Web Desk: According to rescue officials in last 24 hours rescue services responded to 1,223 road traffic accidents across Punjab and during these accidents, 1,499 people were injured and including 1,190 men and 309 women.
As per the rescue teams provided immediate first aid and shifted 662 seriously injured victims to nearby hospitals and others received on the spot medical assistance.
In the accidents tragically 22 people lost their lives in traffic accidents during this period.
“Lahore recorded the highest number of road accidents with 211 incidents, followed by Multan with 87 and Faisalabad with 84 accidents” the official said. Officials reported that motorcycles were involved in most of the accidents, with 1,113 motorcycle-related incidents. Additionally, 87 rickshaws and 191 cars were involved.
According to detail provided by rescues official In Lahore alone, rescue services responded to 211 traffic accidents and total of 256 people were injured, out of which 92 were critically injured and shifted to hospitals, while 162 sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Rescue authorities urged citizens to follow traffic rules and drive carefully to reduce the growing number of road accidents across the province.
Earlier it was reported that the Punjab government drastically tightened traffic laws with fines for common violations such as signal jumping and wrong-way driving increased by up to 900% and new punishments including possible jail time for one-way violations.
According to the new 12th Schedule, almost every category of road user will pay more for breaking the traffic rules:
Big jumps in fines
- Over-speeding now costs:
- Motorcycle: Rs 2,000
- 3-wheeler: Rs 3,000
- Car/jeep: Rs 5,000
- Commercial vehicles: Rs 10,000
- Public service vehicles (buses, wagons etc.): Rs 15,000
- Fines up to Rs 5,000 for private vehicles and Rs 15,000–20,000 for commercial and public service vehicles for these violations:
- Wrong-way / one-way driving
- Signal violation
- Using a mobile phone while driving
- Driving without a licence .
- Hit-and-run is among the harshest:
- Motorcycle: Rs 20,000
- Car/jeep: Rs 50,000
- Commercial: Rs 100,000
- Public service: Rs 150,000
- Driving an unregistered or unfit vehicle:
- These traffic violations can now cost up to Rs 50,000 for private users and Rs 100,000–150,000 for commercial and public transport.
Demerit points and seatbelt / helmet rules
Each violation also adds 2 to 4 demerit points to the driver’s record. Accumulating too many points can eventually lead to licence suspension in longer run.
Wearing a helmet is mandatory for motorcyclists (fine: Rs 2,000), while front-seat passengers irrespective of private or commercial must now wear seatbelts. Failure to do so is treated as a traffic offence. Parking in a no-parking zone or lane violations will also be penalized heavily under new fine rules.
Officials say the tougher regime is aimed at curbing reckless driving and reducing road accidents across Punjab, urging motorists to drive carefully and follow the updated rules.
Also read: Punjab Imposes Heavy New Fines on Traffic Violations
