"Chaos, when left alone, tends to multiply."
-- Stephen Hawking
Bangladesh is a country where rules are seldom followed, and chaos reigns the streets. Reckless driving is the norm, and traffic regulations seem more like a sham than a reality. As locals, we often become desensitized to the frenzy around us, forgetting that what has come to feel “normal” is something we should actively challenge.
The constant, unnecessary honking that serves no purpose other than increasing noise pollution to absurd levels, while also contributing to hearing loss, is all too common. Buses racing each other, causing dents, scratches, and even occasional fatalities, are a frequent sight. Meanwhile, various vehicles drive on the wrong side of the road without facing any consequences, and reckless driving continues to claim dozens of lives every year.
Sadly, these dangerous behaviours have become so normalized in our society that they continue to dominate our everyday lives. To an outsider, it might even appear as though they have stepped into a dystopian reality, where the concept of abiding by rules -- particularly traffic laws -- simply does not exist.
Despite growing awareness of the detrimental effects caused by the lack of order, the situation continues to worsen. Every day, our social media feeds are bombarded with heartbreaking news of innocent lives lost due to reckless driving, unfit vehicles, or other preventable causes.
This is not a recent issue -- over the years, numerous incidents have highlighted the potential dangers of poorly managed traffic, inadequate infrastructure, and the lack of effective law enforcement.
From the devastating incident that sparked the "Student Protests for Road Safety" in 2018 to the more recent Mawa toll plaza tragedy in 2024, these fatalities have highlighted the urgent need for change. According to a 2024 report by the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh, at least 8,543 people were killed and 12,608 others injured in 6,359 road crashes that year alone.
Reckless driving is the norm, and traffic regulations seem more like a sham than a reality
Despite continuous protests and calls for reform, meaningful changes have been slow to materialize and progress remains weak. This not only raises the disturbing question of whether human life is so insignificant that things remain unchanged, despite the nation witnessing the rising death toll. It also instills a fear in us -- wondering if we might be the next to make the news tomorrow, as the nation continues to fail in providing its citizens with the basic right to safety.
With various reforms sweeping the country one after another, road safety and traffic etiquette remain pressing issues that demand immediate and urgent attention.
While the government must indeed take steps to strengthen laws and enforcement regarding unfit vehicles, underage drivers, and traffic regulations in general, we, as individuals, must also be responsible and mindful of our actions. We cannot hope to achieve positive changes by relying solely on the government. Real change requires effort from everyone.
As citizens, we must make a conscious effort to adhere to the laws and refrain from reckless behavior, even when the opportunity presents itself. Only by working together -- government and citizens alike -- can we create lasting change. This is the only way we can address the crisis and ensure a safer future for all the people of Bangladesh.
Fariha Afrin is a student at Brac University.