New traffic rules show some hopes

Vehicles are seen trying to follow the lane system on the Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in the city yesterday, which resulted in a slight improvement of congestion. Inset, a traffic sergeant fines a cab driver for failing to maintain lanes at the Sheraton Hotel intersection. Photo: Star

Dhaka dwellers and commuters started to get some benefit of the new traffic rules yesterday as a good number of drivers, fearing penalties, began to follow the rules on the second day of the new system's implementation.
During visits to different city streets where the new rules have been enforced, it was seen that a good number of vehicles were following the rules, which resulted in the slight improvement of congestion.
The DMP yesterday filed 1,244 cases in connection with traffic rule violations and realised Tk 1,09,300 in fines. Thirty-two drivers were arrested while driving licences of 18 people were suspended for three months. They also seized 22 vehicles.
"I have come to Gulistan from Abdullahpur around 30 minutes quicker than on Tuesday," said Mobarak Hossain, a driver of a Gulistan-Abdullahpur bus."
Bus driver Didar Hossain of Mirpur-12 to Gulistan route said it took him 20 minutes less than usual to get to Gulistan from Mirpur.
"Most drivers are following the new rules today fearing penalties," said Didar appreciating the new system.
However, another driver of Gulistan-Abdullahpur route said he faced huge tailbacks between Dhaka Cantonment and Mohakhali.
Habibur Rahman, driver of an auto rickshaw, said the rules were good but to get the benefit police have to continue the drive, otherwise drivers will not follow them.
"Most drivers in the city are following the rules today and they are maintaining the lanes which is an improvement," said Deputy Commissioner (traffic east) AKM Awlad Hossain.
He said vehicles are stopping at the lights on their own, which was not seen earlier. Traffic police had to stop vehicles by standing in the middle of the road earlier, he added.
"We also saw the left lanes at intersections clear of vehicles and that is something we have not seen before," he said, adding that this indicates improvement in traffic system.
He said they would continue the drive to streamline traffic movement and reduce congestion on city streets.
Twelve DCs have been working at 12 points in the capital. They are using video cameras, he said.
The DMP campaign started Tuesday to force vehicles to use specific lanes on selected streets. Failing to maintain lanes and ignoring signal lights could cost a driver Tk 1,000 in fines and three months' licence suspension.