Reckless jaywalking

We are appalled by a number of photographs published in this paper yesterday depicting pedestrians nonchalantly crossing busy streets while the nearest footbridge is only a little away. This, coupled with reckless driving, is one of the primary causes of mishaps in the streets of the capital. That this scourge has not been removed despite some much-publicised deaths is simply disappointing.

Some pedestrians appear to be under the impression that they are impervious to mishaps or accidents. This behaviour is at worst foolish and at best criminal as it puts the lives of the others also in jeopardy. More disturbing is the sight of parents jaywalking with children. It defies logic and, more importantly, common sense that one would risk the safety of one's child in such a slipshod manner when the foot-over bridge or the footpath happens to be nearby.  

There is no denying that Dhaka is far from a pedestrian-friendly city. There are few pedestrian signals; sidewalks and foot-over bridges are taken up by hawkers; and most footpaths are broken or unusable. These need to be fixed on an immediate basis. Jaywalkers must be handed down a hefty fine and the law enforcers cannot remain an impotent bystander while this suicidal behaviour takes over our streets. Also, more zebra crossings are needed and the police ought to help women, children, the disabled and elderly to cross the street. And the city dwellers must be sensitised about the importance of the use of foot-over bridges and pedestrian pathways.