'Rate of violating traffic rules higher among Bangladeshis'

Violation of traffic rules is responsible for frequent road mishaps in the country and the rate of violating rules is higher among Bangladeshis, said National Professor Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury yesterday.

“Traffic signals were installed spending crores of taka but they are not followed. They [traffic police] let vehicles to go when the signal shows red… so people become habituated to crossing even when the signal light goes red,” he said.

Saying that influential persons are more prone to violating traffic rules, Choudhury said, “When an influential person is on board, drivers do not care about traffic signals.”

Dr Choudhury was speaking at a press conference organised to mark the launch of an online course titled “Road Safety Awareness Course-1” by Esociety BD at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

Esociety BD is an awareness and education oriented web-based platform created to bring behavioural changes among people on different issues like road safety.

Pointing out the recent agitation programme of transport workers, Choudhury said drivers are not always responsible for road accidents. Pedestrians also have responsibility when walking along the road.

Choudhury said using the platform students could learn about road signs and road safety issues like crossing roads on zebra marks.

Praising the initiative, journalist and cultural activist Kamal Lohani said students will learn a lot about road safety from Esociety and can educate their parents, siblings and friends about it.

ATM Kamruzzaman, who took the initiative, said children can register on Esociety BD through their parents' e-mail and take the course.

After successful completion of the course, certificates will be handed over to learners.

So far, 750 persons have completed the course and 188 teachers joined as mentors, he added.