A special campaign against mechanically unfit vehicles to be launched:IG Motorways Police

Lahore: Inspector General, National Highways & Motorways, Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema has instructed all the officers of NH&MP to launch a special campaign against mechanically unfit vehicles.

The Inspector General said that those vehicles would not be allowed to enter on motorways and highways that don’t hold valid fitness certificate. He has also asked the zonal commanders to initiate stern action against the offenders as per law. It has been observed that brake failure, tyre bursting and other mechanical faults of the vehicles, have become the cause of many serious accidents and loss of precious lives on highways and motorways.

The Inspector General directed all zonal commanders to start all-out efforts to control such accidents and launch special briefing campaigns to sensitize road users in this respect. The Inspector General said that passengers overloading in PSVs should not be tolerated in any case and those who carry passengers on the roof top of the vehicles would be dealt strictly.

The I.G said usually transporters get fitness certificates of the vehicles by implying unfair means and this practice needs to be curbed. He said “The Motor Vehicle Examiner department, working at district level, have become hub of corruption and Provincial Governments pay no heed and their malpractices are being carried out unchecked. This warrants drivers with the license to kill innocent people.” The Government should take notice of this life threatening issue and should encourage private sector to establish institutions of international standard for vehicle fitness examination, he added.

Following the directions, National Highways & Motorways Police has restricted the entrance of mechanically unfit vehicles on highways and motorways to save precious lives of innocent commuters. The Inspector General also expressed his concerns over the prevailing system of driving licenses at district level which does not hold proper driving test and said that the district driving license authorities should follow the standards set by NH&MP for issuing driving license. Issuance of licenses to incapable drivers, fitness certificates of unfit vehicles and deteriorating condition of roads has become major cause of fatal accidents and Government must take prompt action which should bring long-lasting effects. He also urged media to play its role in sensitizing and educating masses about the concept of road safety.