The students’ safe road movement acted as a wake-up call for the country and showed glaring aberrations in traffic management. However, despite so many efforts and promises, the situation has not improved.
Most people on the roads are not adhering to laws. While cases are being lodged, there is no sign of discipline on the roads. To raise awareness, implement laws and bring back discipline on the roads, the traffic discipline drive began from Jan 15 last which will run till Jan 31.
Under this campaign, traffic police lodged 46,044 cases with fines up to Tk 22,594,850.
Most cases have been against motor-cycles with 970 bikes impounded. For moving on the wrong side of the road, 8204 cases were lodged.
During the drive, 207 cars were dumped and 6185 cars impounded. For using noise polluting hydraulic horns, 952 cases were lodged.
Specialists say that only cases are being lodged but what is needed is a move to increase awareness of the people.
Chairman of Nirapod Shorok Chai, Ilias Kanchan, said, “Drivers, pedestrians both break the law and to make people aware, the fine has to be raised.”
We feel that comprehensive campaigning has to be carried out in schools, colleges, universities and other places for three months, said the unswerving safe road crusader.
The awareness drive also includes using mikes to warn people about the potential dangers of reckless behaviour on the roads.
The usage of the foot overbridges has to be popularised, say safe road advocates.
Many do not use foot over bridges to save time or are too lazy to climb stairs. Often, to avoid being stuck in a traffic jam, motorcycle riders take their bikes on the pedestrian path.
DMP’s additional commissioner, Mir Rezaul Alam, says, “The change will not come overnight or in 15 days, it’s a slow process and we have to carry on the campaign.”
All countries have traffic education at the primary school level and so, they know what rules to follow but we do not have such a system, he lamented.
Secretary-general of Bangladesh transport owners’ association, Khondokar Enayetullah, says, “Currently, only cases are being lodged and this won’t change much.”
For long-lasting improvement, a comprehensive drive is needed, he added.