Trucks on the loose!
A picture of a truck carrying iron rods near Dhaka University's TSC area published by The Daily Star on Thursday shows the iron rods jutting out into the road, and running in broad daylight despite there being a restriction on daytime entry of goods-carrying trucks into the city. A few metres behind is a motorcyclist wearing no helmet, and talking via a mobile phone balanced precariously between his left ear and his shoulder. The message behind the whole picture is that an accident is never too far away in this city. It is also a reminder of just how easily traffic rules are being violated, and just how reckless some riders/drivers have become.
Laws aside, it is a matter of common sense that trucks carrying goods, especially potentially dangerous ones, would be covered to ensure no mishaps occur. Unfortunately, common sense being not so common, we have uncovered trucks ploughing through the streets, littering them as they go, and creating a public nuisance in the process. Add to them the nauseating sights of dustcarts, which collect municipal waste and haul them to the landfills in broad daylight. The health, security, and environmental repercussions of such unregulated vehicular movements cannot be taken lightly.
There is a rule for all vehicles in a city and these rules are there for a reason: public order and safety. But rules alone cannot bring about the change that we desire. Awareness is also important. So while it is imperative that the authorities enforce the traffic rules strictly, the drivers and motorcyclists, on their part, must also follow the rules to prevent accidents and other disturbances to public wellbeing.
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