On Tuesday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police introduced a 15-day-long traffic disciplinary program to bring an end to constant flouting of traffic rules and regulations.
Wednesday, the second day of the campaign, saw a callous response from the frequent lawbreakers as they continued impeding traffic. Bus drivers in particular, have remained adamant in hitting the brakes almost on impulse to pick up the odd passenger here and there.
And yet, pedestrians are also not blameless. Jaywalking remains a major concern even as people cross the busy roads right under the noses of the traffic police in broad daylight.
Motorcyclists have only added to the infractions by carrying passengers without helmets.
The tallies of the first day of the program lists 6,909 cases and Tk37.15 lakh in fines for traffic violations. Also, 38 cars were seized and 889 cars were towed away with wreckers.
Throughout Motijheel, Paltan, Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate and Dhanmondi, it was discovered that although most motorcyclists used helmets, the passengers behind them did not.
The busiest roads in the capital like Press Club, Shahbagh, Bangla Motor, Karwan Bazar, and Farmgate areas saw buses stop randomly on the road unceremoniously to pick up passengers.
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While pedestrians were seen jaywalking all across Dhaka, most people in the Farmgate area seemed to respect the rules and love their life enough to use one of busiest foot over-bridges in the city.
When a jaywalker was asked why jeopardize their lives as vehicles speed down across the road, he replied: “I have a customer waiting for me, I cannot waste my time.”
Another woman who jaywalked, defended her action saying that she did so because other pedestrians were doing the same.
Bus conductors and helpers claimed that passengers were forcing the buses to drop them off at their preferred spot instead of designated bus stops. However, he did not explain why buses were picking up people off the road instead of bus stops.
Perchance many may find it unsurprising that the majority of bus helpers expressed an utter lack of knowledge about where the bus stops were.
When asked why the gates are not closed on a bus after moving on from a stop, they claimed people are always in a rush to embark and disembark, so they keep the gates open.
Traffic Inspector Alamgir Kabir, who was posted in Karwan Bazar, told the Dhaka Tribune the area sees more pressure than many other parts of Dhaka, and remains a tough challenge to tackle, even as the police slap fines and file cases.
However, a number of police officers said the law alone could not enforce discipline on the streets. The officers said people have to realize the threats they pose to themselves and others by their reckless actions.
According to the DMP Traffic Department, 1,290 cases were filed against cars for driving on the wrong side, 218 for using hydraulic horns, 11 for using hooter and beacon lights, and 23 filed for using tinted glasses on January 15.
Another 2,768 cases were filed against motorcycles and 139 motorcycles seized for disobeying the law. In addition, 26 cases were filed against motorcyclists for using mobile phones while driving.
After two children were killed by a reckless bus driver in Kurmitola in July 2018, a massive citywide protest led to the road safety demonstrations, which saw the city roads functioning healthily and lawfully for the first time perhaps in memorable time.
The DMP commissioner had declared that regular traffic disciplinary periods will take place. September 2018 was declared “Special Traffic Awareness Month” but saw little to no progress.