Old habits die hard

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) month-long traffic awareness programme ended yesterday with little change in the city traffic scenario, as violation of traffic rules by pedestrians and transports workers continue.

However, use of footbridges, zebra crossing and sidewalks by pedestrians, and use of helmets by bike riders have increased during the campaign.

The campaign began on September 1 following an unprecedented student movement across the country demanding road safety, after deaths of two students in road accident in city's Kurmitola area on July 29.

During the period, police filed around 1.7 lakh cases, realising fines worth about Tk 14 core.

DMP had earlier observed a traffic week in early August.

While visiting different streets in the last couple of days, it was seen that bus drivers and pedestrians followed traffic rules in some areas, but did not bother to in most parts.

Many of the directives issued by DMP on September 4 -- including a ban on dropping off and picking up passengers in the middle of the roads by buses -- have not been implemented fully.

Buses were not stopping at the DMP designated bus stoppages, and drivers were running vehicles keeping the doors open. Many passengers were also forced to get down in the middle of the road from the buses.

Many people were seen jaywalking, as sidewalks of different roads remain grabbed by hawkers. Police have taken no visible steps to evict the hawkers.

Amid the situation, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia yesterday said, “There is no lack of sincerity of police to bring discipline in the streets, but all their attempts are not yielding results due to people's tendency of violating traffic rules.”

“Everyone has to be respectful toward law to bring discipline in the traffic system,” he said while observing traffic situation at Karwan Bazar roundabout yesterday morning.

“It is not possible to change habits and behaviour in one month, but we are hopeful that people will gradually obey law,” he said, adding that such programmes will continue.

During a press conference on September 4, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman had announced to ensure a model traffic corridor on a seven-kilometre stretch of thoroughfare passing right through the heart of the city -- from Jahangir Gate to Gulistan Zero Point -- to bring highest discipline in the streets.

With the help of volunteers, the project has seen some success but police said it is necessary to ensure some structural development including more footbridges, underpasses, and strong fences on the median strips of the roads to achieve more success.  

Apart from the 4,000 traffic police personnel, several hundred members of Rover Scouts, Girls Guide, Red Crescent and other volunteers were on the streets to raise awareness among people during the campaign. 

The DMP commissioner expressed his gratitude to the volunteers for helping police in maintaining traffic rules.