The government of Punjab has announced a new rule for bikers in Lahore.
According to the Lahore Traffic Police, a stricter enforcement campaign has been launched against motorcyclists riding without helmets, citing concerns over rising road fatalities and serious injuries.
In a statement, Lahore’s Chief Traffic Officer, Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi, said motorcyclists without helmets would not be allowed to travel on several major roads, including Mall Road, Jail Road, Canal Road, and Main Boulevard.
He said special traffic police teams had been deployed at key entry points across the city to ensure compliance with the new measures.
According to the traffic police, the campaign is aimed at reducing deaths among motorcyclists, who account for the majority of fatal road accidents in Lahore.
Official data shows that 96 motorcyclists have died in 139 traffic accidents recorded in the city so far this year. Authorities say head injuries remain the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes.
Mr Shirazi said motorcyclists account for 73% of fatalities in deadly traffic accidents, making rider safety a priority for the department.
He added that Lahore has more than 6.1 million registered motorcycles out of approximately 8.2 million registered vehicles, with motorcycles also involved in the largest share of road accidents.
The traffic chief said ongoing helmet enforcement efforts had already contributed to a 40% reduction in head trauma cases.
He stressed that the objective of the campaign was not to increase revenue through fines but to save lives and encourage safer road behaviour.
Mr Shirazi urged riders to wear helmets for their own protection rather than to avoid penalties, adding that helmet use and lane discipline are essential for road safety.
The latest measures form part of broader efforts by Lahore’s traffic authorities to improve road safety and reduce accident-related deaths in one of Pakistan’s busiest cities.
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