The National Highways and Motorways Police (NHMP) has recently made headlines with its announcement to increase fines for various traffic violations, effective from January 1, 2024.
This move aims to enforce road safety and deter rule-breaking on the nation’s highways and motorways. In this blog post, we’ll break down the key changes and what motorists need to be aware of.
Raising the Bar on Fines
The NHMP’s latest decision includes substantial increases in fines for a range of traffic offenses, addressing concerns related to road safety and adherence to traffic rules.
- Over-Speeding: Starting January 1, 2024, vehicles caught over-speeding will face an enhanced fine. While the exact figures are not provided in the announcement, this move emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe and lawful speeds on highways and motorways.
- Driving Without a Helmet: For motorcyclists, the fine for driving without a helmet has been significantly increased. Violators can now expect to pay Rs. 1,000, up from the previous fine of Rs. 200. This change underscores the NHMP’s commitment to improving safety for riders.
- Use of HID Lights: The NHMP has also targeted vehicles using HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights. The fine for this violation has been raised to Rs. 2,000 from the previous Rs. 300. This initiative aims to curb the use of blindingly bright lights, which can pose hazards to other drivers.
- Stunt Riding: Motorcyclists engaging in stunt riding will face a substantial fine of Rs. 5,000, compared to the previous Rs. 300 fine. This move is designed to discourage dangerous and reckless behaviors on the road.
- No-Fault Insurance: Intriguingly, the NHMP announced an additional fine for driving without a certificate of No-Fault Insurance coverage, set at Rs. 1,000.
However, the announcement left many motorists baffled, as it did not clarify what a No-Fault Insurance certificate entails or how to obtain one.
The NHMP’s decision to increase fines for traffic violations underscores the importance of road safety and adherence to traffic rules on Pakistan’s highways and motorways. Motorists are encouraged to stay informed about these changes and ensure compliance to avoid penalties.