The city’s traffic police chief, DIG Amir Ahmed Shaikh, announced the start of a three-phased campaign against all drivers violating traffic laws, however the drive will be specifically against those driving without a valid license, from Monday (today).
The first and second phases, according to the DIG, would focus on public transport vehicles plying the roads without taximeters.
DIG Shaikh strictly added that drivers who did not have their licenses would be jailed under section 3 & 99 of Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965. The driving licenses, he added, would be verified on the spot through an SMS.
With respect to taxis and rickshaws, he said that traffic officials would be directed to check whether meters installed in the vehicles were functional or not.
These specific directives, he stated were being given keeping in consideration the rising number of complaints received from the public, of rickshaw and taxi drivers not using the meters, and refusing to give passengers a ride if they asked for them to use the meters.
The third and the final phase, the DIG Traffic said would focus on private vehicle drivers, who had been given a week’s time to get their licenses renewed.
However, following the expiration of the deadline, the drivers would also be jailed if found without a driving license, he added.
A special desk for issuing licenses was requested to be set up at the licenses department, by the DIG in order to accommodate and facilitate a maximum number of applicants.
Personnel from the traffic branch were also deployed at the licenses branch for a speedy process.
The senior traffic officials also claimed to have written a letter to the provincial government calling for it to make it mandatory for buyers to show their driving licenses before purchasing a vehicle.
