LAHORE: The city traffic police will impound vehicles driven by underage drivers from Thursday (today).

Taking notice of the rising trend of driving motorcycles and other vehicles by underage boys, the city traffic police on Wednes day launched a month-long campaign. Up to 9,799 motorcyclists and car, auto and motorcycle-rickshaw drivers were ticketed.

However, some people saidthepolicehadlaunched the campaign without much publicising it.

They also say the police are not releasing their motorcycles even after 72 hours.

Traffic police spokesman Ali Nawaz said earlier a vigorous campaign was launched in the last 15 days to raise an awareness among the people about the harms of underage driving.

He said lectures were organised in schools and colleges to educate studentsabout underage driving.

Camps were set up at Bhati Chowk, Jail Road and The Mall to distribute pamphlets and brochures, he added.

According to a news release, Chief Traffic Officer Tayyab Hafeez Cheema says rather than protesting the campaign, people should realise that the campaign is aimed at ensuring safety of children.

`It is also an awareness campaign as we are telling the students about the importance of wearing a helmet even if they are a pillion rider,` he said, adding the parents should come forward and extend their cooperation in the campaign. Reporter