LAHORE: The traffic police chief on Friday informed the Lahore High Court that strict enforcement of the mandatory helmet rule for motorcyclists has resulted in a 26 percent reduction in fatalities in road accidents.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Dr Athar Waheed said helmets had been made mandatory for both motorcycle riders and pillion passengers, in addition to loader-rickshaw drivers.

He stated that the government employees found riding motorbikes without helmets would not only be fined but also reported to their respective departments.

The CTO appeared before Justice Shahid Karim during the weekly hearing on petitions related to environmental issues.

He said vacant plots should be converted into parking spaces under the public-private partnershipmodel. He emphasised the need to discourage excessive ownership of luxury vehicles, saying that increasing public transport would help reduce traffic congestion on roads.

The CTO regretted that the owners of large and luxury vehicles consider themselves above the law.

Justice Karim remarked that people lack traffic sense and do not follow their designated lanes.

Dr Waheed stated that work was underway to designate specific points for rickshaws, similar to the government`s initiative for handcarts. He said providing designated points for rickshaws would help manage traffic better.

He suggested that the driving licence fees should be reduced for women and transgender individuals. He also advocated for greater participation of women in public transport driving.

According to the CTO, at least 18,000 women have been trained in driving so far.

He pointed out that teams hadbeen deployed to inspect markets for licencing issues, which are expected to be resolved within a month.

The judge remarked that introducing electric buses on main routes would help reduce pollution, as many vehicles emit excessive smoke and relevant agencies often fails to act.

Dr Waheed also proposed that schools without transport facilities should not be allowed registration.

The judge also endorsed the proposal, however, noted that the government had not been taking adequate measures on this issue.

Highlighting the challenges faced by traffic police, the CTO said traffic wardens had a tough job, citing a recent incident where a warden was hit by a vehicle. He suggested that wardens should receive a health risk allowance.

The CTO also emphasised the need for special parking arrangements at locations such as Aiwan-i-Adl, the high court, Model Town courts and Neela Gumbad.

He pointed out that traffic police submitted recommendations to the government to introduce legislation regarding professional beggars. He said measures are needed to be taken to curb begging on footpaths and in parks in particular.

Regarding ongoing events, Dr Waheed informed the court that as many as 25,000 people attended the Horse and Cattle Show, and yet the traffic remained uninterrupted. He said diversions were implemented in a limited area on The Mall due to cricket teams` movement in the city.

Justice Karim observed that those who follow traffic laws should be encouraged by the authorities.

The hearing was adjourned for the next week.