ISLAMABAD: The government has announced a massive increase of up to 1,500pc in traffic rules violation fines on national highways and motorway across the country.

The fine was increased after an amendment to the 12th Schedule of National Highways Safety Ordinance 2000. A notification issued by the government said the amendment was made after consultations with the motorway police.

Earlier, the fine over exceeding speed limit by less than 40 kilometres per hour was R750 but after the amendment this fine for motorcycles was increased to Rs1,500, cars Rs2,500, public service vehicles Rs10,000 and heavy traffic vehicles Rs5,000.

The fine carrying passenger in public service vehicles by less than 30 per cent excess of the permissible limit was increased to Rs5,000 from Rs1,500. The fine regarding failure to observe traffic signals was also increased. The fine for violation of amber flashing is increased to Rs1,000 from Rs200, red flashing to Rs2,000 from Rs200 and red light increased to Rs5,000 from Rs300.

The fine for carrying goods by less than 15pc in excess of the permissible load has been increased to Rs10,000 from Rs1,000. The fine for overtaking where prohibited increased according to a category of vehicles. Earlier, this fine was Rs300 only which has now been increased for motorcycles, cars and light transport vehicles to Rs1,500 and for HTV and PSV to Rs3,000.

Driver jumping a red light will have to pay a fine of Rs5,000 on national highway and motorway

Failure to yield right of way to other vehicles would be punishable with a fine of Rs1,000, which was earlier Rs300, while a driver found interfering with an emergency vehicle would be fined Rs5,000 against the earlier fine of Rs500.

Earlier, a Rs500 fine was imposed on overloading in excess of the restriction of dimension of goods and after the amendment it increased to Rs10,000. The amount of fine for driving at night without proper lights has been increased from Rs1,000 to Rs5,000.

The fine for driving on the wrong side of the road was increased from Rs500 to Rs2,500 while the fine for disobeying a stop sign increased to Rs3,000 from Rs500

The amount of fine for improper crossing of a railway track was increased to Rs1,000 from Rs500 while it increased to Rs1,000 from Rs300 for following too closely or cutting in too sharply.

The fine over driving with the rear screen partially fully covered increased to Rs750 against the earlier Rs150 and Rs300 over fully covered screen.

The fine over using turn indicators for any purpose other than those prescribed was increased from Rs300 to Rs750.

Fines over plying where prohibited and obstructing traffic were increased to Rs2,000 from Rs500 while improper loading of goods fine was increased to Rs3,000 from Rs500.

The fine over failure to observe a slow sign was increased to Rs2,000 from Rs200 while driving a motorcycle without safety helmet, failure to stop for a school bus, failure to protect beginner drivers, open door dangerously and using horn in silence zone were increased to Rs1,000 from Rs200.

The fine over failure to yield right of way to pedestrians was increased to Rs2,000 from Rs300.

Careless driving fine was also increased and vehicles were categorised under the head. This fine was increased from Rs300 to Rs1,500 for motorcycles, cars and LTV and Rs5,000 for PSV and HTV.

The fine over driving without a driving licence increased from Rs750 to Rs5,000 for motorcycles, cars and LTV and Rs10,000 for PSV and HTV.

The fine amount over driving an unregistered vehicle was also increased from Rs500 to Rs2,000 for motorcycles, cars and LTV and Rs5,000 from PSV and HTV. The fine amount over carrying passengers in dangerous position in a transport vehicle was also increased from Rs750 to Rs5,000.

Fine over improper turn (turn from wrong lane) was also increased to Rs2,500 from Rs300 while the fine over improper lane usage was increased to Rs1,000 for motorcycles, cars and LTV and Rs5,00 for PSV and HTV from Rs200.

The fine over driving vehicles emitting smoke, visible vapours, grit, sparks ashes or oily substance was increased to Rs1,250 for cars and LTV and Rs3,000 for PSV and HTV from Rs500.

The fine over driving vehicles producing unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise was also increased to Rs750 for motorcycle and cars, Rs1,000 for LTV and Rs2,000 for PSV and HTV from Rs300.

A fine of Rs5,000 was introduced over wheeling and Rs3,000 over overloading of goods not falling within maximum limits prescribed in the 6th Schedule.

The fine over parking on a sidewalk, less than 0.5 metre from another car, less than three metres from a fire hydrant, less than 10 metres from a stop sign, parking on a bus stop, on a road pavement outside municipal limit, on a footpath, on or near the brow of a hill and on grass verge was increased to Rs750 from Rs200.

The fine over parking on a zebra crossing, less than 10 metres from an intersection, in a no-parking zone, in front of an entrance to premises and on a bridge was increased to Rs750 from Rs300.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2019