Mobile court to stop jaywalking

Pedestrians in the capital in many cases tend not to bother for the traffic signals, instructions of the police and even the rules. This Star file photo shows people are crossing the Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue at Karwan Bazar where it is not allowed.

A special mobile court will start working along Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in Dhaka on November 25 to stop jaywalking, slapping the violators with six-month jail or Tk 200 in fine amid a nagging traffic congestion.

Before the operation begins, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will start a three-day campaign in the city today.

The mobile court led by a magistrate will start the weeklong drive from Hotel Ruposhi Bangla to Farmgate intersections aimed to prevent road accidents, DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed said at a press briefing at its media centre.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Benazir Ahmed holds a press briefing at DMP media centre in the capital on Saturday. Photo: TV grab

“Traffic police will use holdings, banners and festoons to create awareness among the passers-by during the campaign,” Benazir said.

This July 9 Star photo shows pedestrians crossing a road randomly. The photo was taken near the intersection before Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

“Jaywalking not only puts pedestrians’ life at risk but also creates chaos on the streets,” the commissioner said adding that DMP is going to launch the awareness campaign under a pilot project to bring the pedestrians under discipline.