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Driving stays willy-nilly

Random fines, strict watch do little to get vehicles into right lanes

Helemul Alam
Dhaka dwellers did not see the benefit of the new traffic rules as a good number of drivers continued to drive willy-nilly despite many drivers faced penalties yesterday for failing to follow signal lights and maintain lanes.
In addition, the main opposition BNP’s council at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at Shere-e Bangla Nagar also made congestion worse at Collegegate, Asadgate, Agargaon, Shyamoli and Bijoy Sarani.
City dwellers had to face additional congestion on many streets between Gulshan and Moghbazar, Airport and Karwan Bazar, Mirpur and Gulistan yesterday while traffic flow from Shanir Akhra to Karwan Bazar saw little improvement in the morning but took a turn for worse in the afternoon.
A good number of drivers are still unaware of the new traffic rules. Many, however, appreciated the new system and emphasised on the need for its proper enforcement.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police had announced that from Tuesday drivers violating signal lights or lane rules could be fined a maximum Tk 1,000 with three month’s licence suspension.
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The fast lane of selected city streets has been reserved for private cars, microbuses, sports utility vehicles and such kind of automobiles, the middle lane for minibuses, buses, covered vans and similar vehicles and the slow lane for CNG-run auto rickshaws, pickup vans, motorbikes and similar vehicles.
"We have fined around 20 different modes of transport till noon for violating new lane system,” said Assistant Deputy Commissioner South (traffic) AKM Iqbal Hossain, who was monitoring the drive at Sonargaon intersection.
"We are checking whether drivers are violating lane rules, signal lights or whether they are overtaking. We are checking to see if their licences are fake," he said.
Iqbal said they have conducted a huge campaign through media, leaflets, and announcements over PA systems since December I.
"It is very important to change the mindset of drivers to get proper benefit of the new system and everybody should cooperate with us."
Akhtar, a microbus driver who was fined Tk 1,000 at Sonargaon intersection, said, "I came from Jamalpur after 15 days... I was unaware of the new system."
Monir, an auto rickshaws driver, said, "The new rules will be helpful if the bus drivers are made to follow them. They always ignore traffic rules."
Even though the slow lane is kept for auto rickshaws and other small vehicles, in many cases buses occupy the lane to drop and pick up passengers, he added.
Shahed, a bus driver of Gabtoli to Signboard route, said, "It took me one hour to get to
Farmgate from Gabtoli around noon, which usually takes around 30 minutes."
Harun, also an auto rickshaw driver who came to Asadgatc from Kawla of Airport, faced additional half-an-hour delay due to congestion. Fie claimed most drivers on Airport Road did not follow the new lane rules.
Shamsuzzaman, a taxi driver, said he came to Karwan Bazar from Shanir Akhm in 25 minutes around noon, which usually takes40 to 50 minutes.
Joint Commissioner (traffic) Shafiqur Rahman said it is not possible to remove congestion altogether but they are trying their best and will get some result from the new system. Fie said the number of roads is very small compared to the number of vehicles on the streets.
He said 12 check posts of traffic police have been set up which are at Hotel Sheraton, Hotei Sonargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Kakoli, Pragati Sarani, Airport Square, House Building, Science Lab, Russell Square, Asadgate and Technical intersections to prevent illegal lane changing and traffic rule violations.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police yesterday filed 830 cases in connection with traffic rule violations and realised Tk 94,700 in fines during the drive that started from 8:00am and ended at 9:00pm.
Public relation (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Shyamal KumarMukherjeesaid they also suspended 11 driving licences for three months and seized 50 licences. They arrested 21 drivers and seized 17 vehicles in connection with major traffic rule violations, headded.