Viral: Traffic Police Officer Caught Trying to Trick Karachi’s E-challan
Since the implementation, Karachi’s E-challan system has become fully operational, with a surprising level of impartiality. Whether it’s government vehicles, police mobiles, or private cars, no one is exempt from its reach, ensuring that all are held accountable.
For instance, as we reported in our previous blog, the system has even issued E-challans to 65 government vehicles, including 26 police mobiles. This shows that the system holds everyone accountable, regardless of their position, status, or rank.
Up to 25 Times Higher Fine Amounts Than Lahore
The fines, however, are considerably higher than in other cities. For example, a traffic signal violation fine in Lahore is Rs. 200, whereas in Karachi it’s Rs. 5,000, and the system continuously issued thousands of challans to Karachities every day.
According to the Karachi Traffic Police’s official Facebook account:
- Over Rs. 1.2 crore worth of fines were issued to Karachiites in just 24 hours since the system became operational.
2,790 challans were recorded in just the last 24 hours, out of which:
- 1,607 for unfastened seatbelts.
- 73 for phone use while driving.
- 150 for traffic signal violations.
- Additional fines for other traffic violations.
Motorists Trying to Trick the E-Challan System
The system has become a hot topic on social media, with multiple videos going viral showing motorists attempting to hide their number plates to avoid getting caught by the cameras.
One such video even features a traffic police officer who removed the last digits of his number plate to prevent the camera from identifying the number plate:
Another viral video shows a motorcycle rider covering his number plate with a red cloth:
In contrast, another rider literally applies mud to his number plate to block the cameras from reading it.
The public reaction to the E-challan system is mixed. Some praise the system, believing the high fines create fear and encourage people to follow traffic rules. Others, however, criticize the government for the excessive fines, arguing that many people cannot afford to pay such high amounts. See the interview with the public yourself:
Legal Challenge and Global Context
As we reported earlier, there is currently a case in Sindh’s High Court regarding the sudden implementation of this E-challan system and the steep fines.
Although the high fines in Karachi are controversial, they are not unusual. In fact, many cities around the world have similar high fines to discourage traffic violations and improve road safety.
Thoughts?
Overall, the E-challan system in Karachi is a significant step forward. While the high fines may be shocking, they are intended to encourage strict adherence to traffic rules, much like in other parts of the world. However, the ongoing legal challenge will likely shape the future of this system, particularly in terms of fairness and accessibility for the general public.