Zebra crossing is the solution

We, the Dhaka dwellers are happy to see that the police are making sure that the pedestrians cross the road on zebra crossing.  But what about that woman who had been awarded a month of imprisonment for not using zebra crossing? We fervently request the government to free her. A zebra crossing which is also known as pedestrian crossing typically gives extra rights to pedestrians. Everywhere in the world, pedestrians use zebra crossing. Zebra crossing warns the drivers that there may be pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road.
We suddenly experienced that law enforcing agency came heavily on pedestrians while crossing the road. What happens here is jay-walking, that is, crossing the road without following any traffic rules and risking one's own life. This cannot be allowed. On the other hand, compelling the pedestrians all of a sudden to use underpass or foot over-bridge is also not a good idea. There are lot of senior citizens or sick people for whom using either of them is painful and at times impossible. And this is exactly what happened and came out in the media that an elderly man crying in pain while using foot over bridge.
The government's motive here is very positive and I believe, this will make the road safer for drivers and pedestrians as well. But before implementing that, make sure there are adequate zebra-crossings, otherwise it will give a wrong message to the city dwellers. I shall humbly request the city corporation to put in place sufficient numbers of zebra crossings on all important roads and then make the pedestrians use them. If they fail, fine them. I hope, they would give this a thought.
Khandaker Zia Hasan
Communication Trainer & Journalist
ziahasan69@gmail.com