The Punjab government is considering a major policy shift that would allow 16-year-olds to obtain motorcycle licences and smart cards, the chief minister’s office confirmed on Tuesday. The decision comes after a widespread public outcry over the traffic police’s recent crackdown, which resulted in thousands of cases being registered across the province.
Backlash Over Arrests of Students and Minors
Over the past 72 hours, Punjab’s traffic police lodged more than 4,600 cases and arrested around 3,100 people, including a significant number of schoolchildren, for traffic violations. The move sparked intense criticism from parents who argued that minors were being treated like criminals and burdened with permanent criminal records that could affect their future careers.
In response, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed strong displeasure over the handcuffing and arrest of underage riders. She stressed that while traffic laws must be respected, minors should not be criminalised for offences that could be handled through education and warnings.
Proposed Reforms and New Measures
According to the CM office, the government has agreed in principle to begin issuing motorcycle licences and smart cards to 16-year-olds. The goal is to bring young riders into a regulated system rather than pushing them towards unsafe, undocumented practices.
As part of the reforms:
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Traffic police will launch an awareness week focusing on safety education for students.
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First-time offenders riding without helmets will receive a warning instead of immediate punishment.
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Drones and police body cameras will be introduced for the first time to ensure transparency during enforcement.
CM Maryam emphasised that parents, not just children, must take responsibility for road safety. “Traffic rules exist to protect people. Parents must teach their children the importance of helmets and safe riding,” she said. While reiterating that she does not wish to see children arrested, she insisted that adherence to the law is essential.
Traffic Act Reforms Underway
The discussion comes just a week after the Punjab government announced 20 major reforms to the decades-old Traffic Act. The updated legislation aims to modernise traffic management and combat the rising issue of underage driving — an offence that could carry up to six months’ imprisonment under the new rules.
The government’s proposed licensing plan is expected to ease tensions while ensuring that young riders are trained, documented, and made aware of road safety responsibilities.
