After much deliberation and confusion, motorcycles were allowed to ply on the Padma Bridge from April 20, a few days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. This comes after nearly a year of ban for the 2-wheel vehicle after the tragic accidents involving motorcyclists on the very day the newly-built bridge was inaugurated in June of last year. Then came the ill-thought-out draft rules on motorcycles that appeared to have been thought up - more as an exercise by armchair officials than anything else.
The idea that limiting the presence of motorcycles on the Padma bridge would serve the national interest, limiting their presence on highways - ahead of one of the two main national holidays would serve the greater good, smacked of something that didn't smell right. The fact that bus companies fleece customers by overcharging fares during the two Eid holidays is an open secret. Motorcycles that proliferated in recent years have emerged as an alternative mode of transportation to travel long distances.
Thankfully, with the intervention of the prime minister, the draft rules were put on ice and the ball turned in favour of the tens of thousands of motorcyclists who could use the bridge to reach the over 20 districts that connected to Dhaka via Padma Bridge. On April 18, the minister concerned for Road Transport and Bridges "announced the bike-allowing developments and specified that allowing motorcycles on the bridge is subject to conditions, including a speed limit of 60 km/h, and using specific toll booths and lanes." As the announcement came too late to put up separate booths for motorcycles, the 12,000 or so motorcycles queued up with rest of the vehicles to pay toll and use the bridge after nearly a year. The enthusiasm of thousands of people, who use motorcycles was visible as the long lines of 2-wheelers stretched for miles through the morning hours on April 20-21 to cross the bridge paying a toll of Tk100 only.
Getting back to the rules that have been set for utilising the bridge by 2-wheelers, it makes perfect sense that a specific speed limit be set and a dedicated lane be allotted for these vehicles, since there's no need for a repetition of unnecessary loss of life caused due to over-speeding or reckless driving on the bridge. Of course, no one, least of authorities and law enforcement agencies hardly raise an eyebrow when highway buses follow none of the existing rules with regards to speeding, overtaking, stopping, etc.
But then, the bus owners' association is a highly organised, well-funded and allegedly boasts serious political clout. It is powerful as a collective bargaining agent when it comes to looking after bus owners' interests. Successive governments, particularly the current one, had tried to bring some modicum of order on our roads. But as luck would have it, a much-watered down Motor Vehicle Act was passed that did little to change either the rate of fatality or injury.
Then came the new rules for 2-wheelers with strange new concepts. Rules that would apply only for this segment of vehicles. While 3-wheel and 4-wheel vehicles were left to speed as they wished, 2-wheelers were subject to an unheard-of speed limit of 30kmph, which would have caused more accidents than prevented them. But thanks to intervention at the highest seat of government, the rules are now being looked into again, and 2-wheelers have been allowed back on highways and bridges. Let good sense prevail and let authorities come up with workable solutions like dividers, hefty fines, a point-based driving license, etc. for traffic rules violators to bring back order on roads.
mansur.thefinancialexpress@gmail.com
