The Lahore High Court (LHC) has barred the Punjab Inspector General of Police from immediately arresting underage drivers, emphasizing a more measured approach to traffic violations involving minors.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum of the LHC took notice of recent arrests of minors for violating traffic laws and underscored the importance of public awareness before enforcement action.
The Chief Justice stated that an awareness campaign should be conducted regarding underage driving. She suggested that children riding motorcycles or driving cars for the first time should initially receive warnings, while repeat violations could then be dealt with according to the law. The court’s directive highlights the need to balance legal enforcement with educational measures to ensure long-term compliance and safety.
The order comes after a large-scale crackdown on traffic violations and underage driving in Gujranwala. Under the special orders of the Chief Traffic Officer, traffic wardens conducted operations at multiple locations, including Nowshera Virkan and the main intersections, targeting underage drivers and riders without helmets.
Dozens of motorcyclists were arrested for driving without a license, riding without helmets, or being underage, and several motorcycles were confiscated.
Authorities noted that parental negligence is a major contributing factor to accidents involving underage drivers. Following the crackdown, large crowds of parents and citizens gathered outside the Nowshera Virkan police station, urging the police to release their children and return the confiscated motorcycles.
Traffic wardens emphasized that the campaign aims to protect lives, urging parents not to allow their children to ride motorcycles. They also warned that, in cases of violations, legal action could be taken against parents of underage drivers.
The LHC’s ruling seeks to ensure that enforcement is fair, educative, and proportionate, balancing the need for public safety with the rights of minors. The court’s intervention underscores the importance of combining awareness campaigns with legal measures to reduce underage driving and improve road safety across Punjab.
