Although the authorities and the traffic system are always blamed for the sorry state of traffic in the city, it's the people who tend to break the law more often. That is one of the main reasons why despite many innovations and efforts, the traffic situation in Dhaka hasn't shown much improvement.

A scene of dispute between a policeman and a driver who has violated traffic rule is a common sight in the city. Traffic sergeants say that in most cases, drivers of private cars or public vehicles are caught for parking at a 'no parking' zone or found violating the red light.

"People do not realise that they should follow the traffic rules for their own safety," said sergeant Azhar.

The traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) tries to curb these offences by imposing fine on the law-breakers.

"We remain alert all the time to follow and nab the people disobeying traffic rules," said an on-duty traffic sergeant at Manik Mia Avenue.

The police issue a case slip or a sticker number to the driver and documents of the vehicle is seized. The owner or the driver is supposed to go to the designated traffic office and get the papers back after paying the fine.

However, a number of people having cases against them do not turn up and get their papers released.

If that happens, the DMP issues warrants against them and sends its 'Summon Party' or 'Warrant Party". They have a chart of registration numbers of the vehicles having cases against them. They try to find out the cars by looking at their numberplates.

Most of the times, the professional drivers who receive the cases, do not let their owners know about it, said a traffic official. That is why so many cases remain unresolved. Besides, the number of policemen in the summon party is not adequate to deal with the situation.

Summon party members also admitted that the process of searching for the cars does not work very well as it is quite impossible to look at the number plates of each and every car that passes by.