Lahore traffic police to register FIRs, not just challans, for one-way, overspeeding, drifting and 12 violations

Lahore's Chief Traffic Officer has ordered traffic police to register FIRs (first information reports, which open a criminal case) against drivers for 12 kinds of violation, instead of only issuing a challan, ProPakistani reported on Thursday 22 October. "These violations will no longer be dealt with through traffic challans alone," the directive says.

The 12 violations that now lead to an FIR

1. Driving the wrong way on a one-way road
2. Overspeeding
3. Dangerous zigzag driving
4. Drifting on public roads
5. Using police flasher lights
6. Using unauthorised blue lights
7. Illegally using green number plates
8. Hiding, altering or tampering with a number plate to conceal identity
9. Blocking roads
10. Rash driving
11. Negligent or careless driving
12. Disorderly behaviour on public roads

Why an FIR is different from a challan

A challan is a fine: you pay it and the matter ends. An FIR starts a criminal case at a police station, which can mean arrest, a court appearance and a record that shows up in a police character certificate check, something employers and visa applications for the Gulf, UK and Europe often ask for. The directive did not say from which date it applies or which legal sections will be used, and no new fine amounts were announced.

What to do

• Check your number plate. Tinted covers, missing digits or stylised fonts can count as concealing identity. Green plates are only for government vehicles.
• Remove flashers and blue lights if your car or bike has them; they are reserved for police and emergency vehicles.
• Bike riders: zigzagging through traffic and one-way short cuts are exactly what the order targets.

If you are moving a vehicle into your name, our Punjab vehicle transfer fee calculator and token tax calculator give the official charges.