Fines for traffic rule violations
Monday, 7 July 2008
IT would be a good step for the government to impose restrictions on jaywalking. Newspapers reported that the police was considering to increase fines for jaywalkers by 4,000 per cent to Tk 200 from Tk five to ease the gridlock that cripples the city traffic every day.
There is no doubt that jaywalking is one of the major causes for traffic jam in the city. It certainly slows down traffic. If millions of pedestrians avoid foot bridges to cross the road, preferring to weave through traffic, jams would be the obvious result. Increased fine might work to check this behaviour.
But before increasing the fine, it is necessary to make the people aware of the rules . They must be aware of the amount they would be required to pay for the violation. They also need to know when the rule is likely to take effect. After completing the mass awareness campaign using the media and miking at public places, the new rules should be made effective.
It is also necessary to increase the fines for the drivers of motorised and non-motorised vehicles. The city's motor vehicles and rickshaws cram the streets as the drivers and the pullers don't follow the rules.
By ignoring traffic rules and signals the vehicle drivers block lanes, frequently change lanes and resort to other irregular practices to aggravate the city's traffic mess.
Above all, it is necessary to oversee the conduct of the traffic police as well. The government does not get the fines. Most of the collection for violations is pocketed by the traffic police.
Musfiqur Rahman
Moghbazar
Dhaka
There is no doubt that jaywalking is one of the major causes for traffic jam in the city. It certainly slows down traffic. If millions of pedestrians avoid foot bridges to cross the road, preferring to weave through traffic, jams would be the obvious result. Increased fine might work to check this behaviour.
But before increasing the fine, it is necessary to make the people aware of the rules . They must be aware of the amount they would be required to pay for the violation. They also need to know when the rule is likely to take effect. After completing the mass awareness campaign using the media and miking at public places, the new rules should be made effective.
It is also necessary to increase the fines for the drivers of motorised and non-motorised vehicles. The city's motor vehicles and rickshaws cram the streets as the drivers and the pullers don't follow the rules.
By ignoring traffic rules and signals the vehicle drivers block lanes, frequently change lanes and resort to other irregular practices to aggravate the city's traffic mess.
Above all, it is necessary to oversee the conduct of the traffic police as well. The government does not get the fines. Most of the collection for violations is pocketed by the traffic police.
Musfiqur Rahman
Moghbazar
Dhaka