Punitive measures planned to tame the jaywalkers
Pedestrians still prefer to risk their lives at the busy intersection at Bangla Motor despite the construction of the much-demanded footbridge.Photo: STAR
Bad news for the jaywalkers. The revised Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1983 will soon have the provisions to penalise pedestrians for crossing busy thoroughfares without using footbridge or underpass.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has prepared the draft of the amended regulations and sent it to the Ministry of Communications for careful scrutiny.
There are 42 footbridges in Dhaka city while the number of underpass is three. Almost all of them remain devoid of pedestrians as most city dwellers seem to have a serious aversion towards using overbridge or underpass.
Built recently the much-demanded footbridges at Bangla Motor and Paribagh saw similar public apathy. Most pedestrians at Bangla Motor still tend to jaywalk, where several tragic accidents occurred.
The provisions were added with a view to increasing public safety on the streets of Dhaka. The draft proposed that the on-duty police officers would have the power to fine the offenders up to Tk 200 if they cross the road without using the nearby footbridge or underpass.
Md Jashimuddin, joint commissioner for traffic, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, citing the case of Bangla Motor, said, “Our common experience is that when an accident takes place people demonstrate for footbridge or underpass. But when it is built they rarely use it."
“By taking the busy streets the pedestrians are risking their own lives. Moreover they are slowing down the traffic resulting in frequent congestions," he added.
Jashimuddin, also a member of the regulation draft committee, informed that more than 200 police forces have been deployed at various points recently to convince the pedestrians to use footbridge and underpass.
But the success rate is very poor, he said.
“We can try to persuade them when they do not take the safer way but we cannot force them. But if there are provisions for penalties then we can force them to abide by the rules," he said.
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable section on the streets of Dhaka. According to a study conducted by the World Bank, pedestrians alone comprise almost 75 percent of the road accident fatalities. Road accident is one of the leading causes of unnatural death in Bangladesh.
Among the most tragic incidents, journalist Yusuf Pasha died when a bus hit him at Bangla Motor crossing in 2006.
In 2005, Shammee Akhter Happy, a student of Dhaka University, was crushed under the wheels of a speeding bus as she was crossing the Shahbagh intersection.
In 2003, a Pajero knocked down garment worker Nahar Begum and dragged her for about one and a half kilometres on Tongi Diversion Road. Nahar's tragic death sparked serious protests.
With a view to improving pedestrian mobility and building friendly footbridge, the Dhaka City Corporation recently carried out a feasibility study funded by the World Bank. The study conducted by Centre for Urban Studies ended this March.
Urban planning specialist Salma A Shafi of CUS who led the study cited height, steep stairs and negative environment on the overbridge as the main reasons why pedestrians feel reluctant to use them.
The footbridges in the city are built around 20 to 22 feet high to allow the double-decker buses to ply.
"Sidewalks are very narrow and the stairs too steep. These are physically excruciating for many. So pedestrians prefer to pick the busy thoroughfares instead of climbing up the steep stairs," said Shafi.
Widening of the footpath is urgently necessary, she said. Average width of the existing footpaths is a little more than 2.0m, the report pointed out.
The study also found insecurity, insufficient lighting and poor maintenance as the discouraging factors for pedestrians.
Unwanted elements such as muggers, pickpockets, drug peddlers, floating sex workers and vagabonds often prowl on these structures. Hawkers had taken over spaces of many footbridges leaving very little room for pedestrians.
Advertisements occupy every inch of the footbridges. The recent overhead sheds and hoardings by the side of the overbridges have virtually turned many of them into dark tunnels. After sundown they become a risky spot for people.
According to the study, most users suggested removal of all obstructions including the billboards.
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