Well something is up to speed under the new government. The traffic in the city appears to be flowing smoother and more importantly somewhat safer. Traffic enforcement has finally acquired some much-needed teeth. Wardens that used to be a furtive species, now roam the city with great abandon, openly lying in wait for their prey. They are not alone in the law enforcement effort, surveillance cameras in certain area are the proverbial ‘eye in the sky.’

The fact struck close to home when the son presented a picture of his car breaking a signal along with a challan, all the while protesting his innocence. Having scolded him for his blunder, driving through Johar Town, one happened to attend an elder relative’s call. Upon entering Allah Hoo Chowk, one of the traffic wardens manning the pit stop there, cordially hailed me in. The fine is substantially reduced if you pay on the spot. Initially one assumed that the cop was on the sly. A completely erroneous assumption since a receipt was duly provided.

Motorcyclists too face the wrath of the wardens. Wearing a helmet will just not do for us. It is not macho enough, even though it is for our own safety. Surprisingly then, the authorities have managed to establish some compliance. The enforcement began with the epicenter of city, The Mall, but now most riders in the city are wearing helmets. Yet, we are who we are; a large number are wearing the cheap Chinese variety. They come in bright shiny colours and are actually construction hats. With all the constructions workers whizzing around, labour for the promised low-income houses should not be an issue. Apart from Bob the Builder model there are the fireman variety. But seriously it just goes to show that if the authorities are serious and honest, their writ can be enforced. Perhaps it is a matter of hitting us where it hurts most – our pockets.

The law for underage driving, where the parents would be fined and can face jail time and not allowing registration of cars without driver licences also appear to steps in the right direction.

Take the high road, there is lot less traffic up there! One wishes it was so. Despite the crackdown a great deal of work needs to be done. There is an art to driving in Lahore. The meek do not necessarily inherit the road. It is the aggressive and fearless that dominate. Try crossing a crossing without a signal, or taking a turn against oncoming traffic – good luck. Giving way for us is akin to losing a little bit of our souls. We do not attempt to wait for our turn. Where one car can pass we flock like a gaggle of geese, with our heads cut-off. Roundabouts are really fun! There is no established right of way. It is every man for himself. The more the roads connecting to the roundabout more the madness. With car slowly inching their way into the jam and slowly snaking their way across traffic going the other way. How the majority manage to navigate through this mess, without any accidents, only the higher powers know. Pakistani guardian angels have their work cut out for them.

While strict enforcement does work, there will be no meaningful change until we decide to change. We have to realise these laws are essential to our safety and our loved ones.

Finally an appeal to the government in shifting gears and gaining some speed towards closure of lingering projects from the previous administration. Metro train aside there is the question of Khyaban-i-Jinnah from Shaukat Khanum onwards. From a short while before the end of the last government’s tenure to an interim caretaker set-up and now a couple of months of the new government, the road remains under construction. If not ‘Punjab Speed’ at least some speed towards completion is required. — AM Lahori (AmLahori@gmail.com)

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2018