LAHORE: Lahore traffic authorities have stepped up scrutiny of commercial vehicle drivers by checking the criminal records of people holding LTV, HTV and PSV licences as part of a road-safety drive.
Criminal Records of Commercial Drivers Checked
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore Syed Abdul Rahim Sherazi said information on drivers operating commercial vehicles, heavy vehicles and buses is being collected from bus terminals and other relevant locations. The records are being cross-checked through the Criminal Record Office (CRO).
Bus Driver Found With 27 Cases
The move follows the discovery of a bus driver who, according to the CTO, had 27 registered cases, including cases related to robbery, theft and fatal road accidents.
Licences May Be Cancelled
Sherazi said authorities would take steps to cancel the licences of drivers found to have criminal records, while arrests would be made in accordance with the law where applicable. He said the initiative is intended to protect citizens and improve safety on Lahore’s roads.
Screening Initiative Covers Commercial Drivers
The wider screening initiative is not entirely new: in August, Dawn reported that Lahore traffic police had initiated criminal-record and driving-history verification for 348,000 commercial vehicle drivers, after traffic-police data linked commercial vehicles to 48% of fatal road crashes.
