When breaking traffic rules has become the norm in Dhaka, most of the capital’s motorcar drivers yesterday demonstrated that they can obey traffic rules even if there is almost no enforcement.
From yesterday, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority launched a drive to ensure that motorcar drivers wear seat belts, motorcyclists wear helmets and pedestrians stick to pavements and use footbridges or zebra crossings to get to the other side or be fined for jaywalking.
While pedestrians yesterday continued to remain oblivious to this poorly enforced drive, it’s the motorcar drivers and motorcyclists who have earned applause obeying the rules.
Most of the drivers yesterday voluntarily fastened their seat belts. Many of those who did not, apparently forgot to do it, as it is not a common habit. Majority of motorcycle riders were seen wearing helmet.
“I was driving to the office as usual. On the half way, I noticed a police car and some motor cars parked on the side of roads,” said Moni Haque, an executive of a private company, “it suddenly struck me that I should fasten my seat belt and so did I.”
Though the spontaneous act of fastening seat belt is an encouraging sign, which indicates that city dwellers have not lost respect for traffic rules, law enforcers however fined a lot of people for not fastening seat belts.
The traffic drive totally left out jaywalkers and pedestrians. According to the traffic department, disciplining the pedestrians of Dhaka was a daunting task and the department was not yet prepared for it.
Motorcar drivers say if the authorities really want drivers and pedestrians to obey the law, they have to demonstrate effective enforcement of the rule.
“If there is no punishment for violating traffic rules, we will revert to the culture of not fastening seat belts,” said Mohammad Helal, a professional driver.
