Lahore Police End Special Traffic Privileges
The long-standing green signal protocol that allowed police officers in Lahore to bypass traffic lights has officially been terminated. Under the new rules, senior police officials, including Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), and Superintendents of Police (SPs), will no longer receive automatic right-of-way on city streets.
The Lahore Traffic Police have instructed all circle officers to ensure that no special routes or signal exemptions are provided to these officials. All police personnel must now stop at traffic signals like ordinary motorists. Violations by any government vehicle will result in electronic challans (e-challans), enforcing accountability under existing traffic laws.
Data Highlights Widespread Violations
Traffic police officials note that traffic law violations by government vehicles have been widespread. In recent months, vehicles from 55 government departments collectively received 1,282 e-challans, indicating that misuse of green signal privileges was common even when officers were meant to follow designated routes.
Officials stated that the abolition of the green signal protocol is intended to enhance traffic flow and ensure road discipline in Lahore. By holding everyone, including law enforcement, accountable to the same rules, authorities hope to reduce congestion and improve safety for ordinary commuters.
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Limited Exceptions for Top Officials
Police sources clarified that the personal movement of the Inspector General of Punjab and the CCPO (City Police Chief Officer) Lahore will still be allowed special routing when necessary. However, other officers will only be granted exemptions in emergencies or urgent situations.
This means regular calls or routine duties will not automatically grant a free route. Officers must follow traffic regulations like everyone else, a senior police official explained.
Expected Impact on Traffic and Public Perception
Analysts suggest this move could significantly improve urban traffic management in Lahore. Historically, green signal privileges for police vehicles have drawn public criticism. Citizens often complained that such exemptions disrupted traffic flow and created safety risks.
Equal enforcement of traffic laws helps maintain public trust, said a traffic analyst. When officers are required to obey the rules, it encourages discipline among drivers and reduces unnecessary road congestion.
Lahore, with a population exceeding 13 million, faces significant daily traffic challenges. During peak hours, main roads and intersections frequently experience bottlenecks. The removal of special privileges for police officers is expected to reduce these bottlenecks, allowing smoother movement for all vehicles.
Broader Push for Road Safety
This change aligns with broader efforts by the Punjab government to modernize urban traffic management and promote road safety. E-challans and automated enforcement mechanisms have been gradually expanded across Lahore to discourage violations by all road users.
Traffic police hope that strict enforcement will also curb accidents caused by negligent driving and red-light violations. In addition, limiting exemptions for official vehicles underscores a shift toward more transparent governance and equal application of the law.
Conclusion
With the green signal protocol officially scrapped, Lahore police officers will now navigate city streets under the same rules as ordinary citizens. While top officials retain limited privileges for emergency situations, the general expectation is that adherence to traffic laws will improve urban mobility and enhance public confidence in law enforcement.
This move represents a key step toward systematic traffic management in one of Pakistan’s most congested cities.
