Of late traffic congestion has become an acute problem. The traffic police are introducing new rules frequently for the drivers, but nothing is working. It seems it is not a manageable problem at all. The number of vehicles is not the reason for such traffic jam. I feel it is the traffic management which is at fault. We remember, during the army backed caretaker government the traffic was well managed and there was less traffic jam. This means, people strictly follow the traffic rules under efficient management. In general, Bangladeshis are not a law-abiding nation. Here people get proud in flouting the laws than obeying them.
Traffic rules are there, but none bothers to obey. Most of the drivers of private cars have no valid driving licenses. They compete anywhere at any time to overtake each other and create blockage on the road; they park their cars at any place in the jam-packed area.
Pedestrians' frequent crossing of roads, unguarded railway crossings, occupation of 30% road by the hawkers and pedestrians, shortage of flyovers in the intersections, lack of knowledge of traffic police, bus stoppage at any place are the main reasons behind this situation.
I believe efficient handling of traffic system may bring down 80% of traffic jam in Dhaka. In western countries there is deterrent punishment for traffic rule violators. Traffic jam is not only taking away valuable working hours, it is also burning billions of dollars of imported fuels.
Sharif