The mobile courts of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) have filed a number of cases and vehicle drivers and owners for violating the newly enforced Road Transport Act 2018.
“As many as 88 cases have been lodged and Tk 121,900 fine was realised during the drive,” BRTA Director (Enforcement) AKM Masudur Rahman told Bangla Tribune.
The BTRA mobile courts conducted raid at eight spots -- at Uttara, Banani, Motijheel, Mirpur, Jatrabari and Manik Miah Avenue in the capital on the first of their operation on Monday (Nov 18) since the law came into effect on Nov 1.
Law enforcers inspected vehicle fitness registrations, route permits, tax tokens, diver licenses and other required documents all day long.
Led by BRTA Executive Magistrate Masud Hasan Patowari and Executive Magistrate Sarah Tazneen have, mobile courts filed 30 cases and realised Tk 27,500 fine in total at Manik Miah Avenue.
Both magistrates said the drive was aimed at implementing the new road laws with none being jailed.
In Banani, BRTA Executive Magistrate MM Samirul Islam led the court that lodged 11 cases and realised Tk 21,000 fine.
“The drivers are panicking over the newly effective law, however, the drive was staged to aware people,” said Samirul before adding the operation will continue.
Apart from the failure to show valid documents, the mobile courts took actions for adding extra seats in buses, not allocating female seats, and not hanging fare chart.
The mobile courts also warned the pedestrians to not cross the road by taking a risk or face punishment under the law.