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Log on to thedailystar.net to leave your comments. Traffic goes haywire (November 23, 2009) Bangladesh needs to build a modern city with modern infrastructure. The new city will ease the pressure on Dhaka.
Ahmad It will take time for the drivers and the pedestrians to get familiar with the automated system. It's not a good idea to expect some sort of solution overnight. But I would like to thank the DMP traffic division for their initiative. This is the best action they have taken ever. But we need an integrated system. It is not possible for the DMP to work alone, they need the co-operation from the drivers and the pedestrians. And the DCC traffic division need to be co-operative as well.
Golam Morshed This is silly action. People of Bangladesh are not so law abiding that they will oblige to any technology straightaway. First, through massive publicity in the media people have to be made aware of the new system and penalties for not obliging. Do we have speed cameras or close circuit cameras to spot violators? Can we impose penalties correctly? If all the drivers and vehicle users have national ID card, it must not be difficult to spot them if close circuit cameras at traffic lights work. In Australia, we have to be so alert all the time. There is no way that anyone breaching any traffic law can escape. We understand in Bangladesh it is no so easy. But without preparation piecemeal solutions are a waste of time.
Saleque Sufi Nobody should be above the law - Bangladesh really needs to educate people on these issues slowly. An automated system will not change the traffic problems overnight. It will take its time for sure, so we need to be patient!
Dr Samiul Haque From personal experience I've seen how much ignorant the drivers are about the traffic rules. And how much they tend to defy the rules even though they know those. I hope this new move will make the drivers follow the rules for their own sake, as they are not going to have the traffic police to blame for the sufferings. But lack of use and supervision obviously caused the automated system to break down. I hope the authorities will take the necessary steps soon. It's time for changing people. You change yourself first, and others will follow.
Md. Jobayer Bin Shafique Traffic signal breakers are lawbreakers. This is nothing surprising as we live in a country where a convicted fugitive gets presidential pardon!
MK I wish there were some public service announcements in all the TV channels in Bangladesh, that would help people follow the traffic signal pattern. The country is in dire need of some guidelines, and TV can play a critical role in this matter.
Syed This is a good initiative, and we must hold on to it, despite the initial roadblocks/failures. It will take some time to get used to it. But once this stage is over, it will only get better for everyone, God willing.
Raihan Thanks to the DMP commissioner for his courageous step. The system is bound to develop. We need to hold our nerves. Chain the drivers of public buses, most of whom do not have a valid driving license. Forcing them to abide by the traffic law will improve the situation dramatically.
Touqueer Ahmed Khan I think this is a great initiative to maintain the automated traffic signalling system. Though it seems to be ineffective, but in the long run I think it should be effective. Our drivers should try to understand the system. It will be a learning session for them to follow the rules. The main responsibility of the traffic police should be to check that the drivers are following the rules strictly.
Abduallh Al Rahed Automated traffic light signals will not work unless and until these are synchronised with the volume of traffic passing through the different roads at different times of the day and the night. This means the duration of red light and green light at a particular traffic intersection will have to vary through the day and the night. I am not sure whether the police have this very important data with them from hour to hour for the different intersections in the city. Without such data, introduction ( or reintroduction ) of automated traffic signals can never produce the expected results.
M. M. Rahman To get an impression about any city and behaviour of the countrymen, the best thing is to see how they move. So, to create a positive impression we have to follow this modern but basic signalling system not only in Dhaka but in all other cities and towns. I would urge the authorities not to scrap this system again.
Shafiqul Islam How long did the Bangladesh government advertise regarding the traffic rule change on local TV, radio and also through other media of the country? There should have been a thorough awareness campaign done at least a month before putting the system in place.
Kabir I think that it's a better way to control traffic jam. But most of the general people and drivers are not very much aware of this system.
MD. Alamgir This is a good initiative I think. Though there could be some problems at the initial stage. But I hope for the best, as the authorities have planned to observe & take corrective measures before finally implementing this rule. Drivers disobeying the traffic signal must be fined. Also pedestrians crossing the road among running vehicles & slowing down the traffic flow should be controlled strictly.
Rabeya Akter I was on the road and found out that the traffic officers and sergeants were still using their hands for signals. So, what's the use of initiating the new system?
Jawad I would ask the DMP to learn first, then practise and finally implement it for the public. Don't make the people suffer further.
Ms A standard city should have 25% of its total area as road. But in Dhaka it is about 8% only. Besides, the population limit that Dhaka can support is three million. But it exceeds 1.5 crore. So, how can we expect a road without traffic congestion?
Tanjeel An awareness campaign should have been conducted before introducing something like this.
Zack
Log on to thedailystar.net to leave your comments. Traffic goes haywire (November 23, 2009) Bangladesh needs to build a modern city with modern infrastructure. The new city will ease the pressure on Dhaka.
Ahmad It will take time for the drivers and the pedestrians to get familiar with the automated system. It's not a good idea to expect some sort of solution overnight. But I would like to thank the DMP traffic division for their initiative. This is the best action they have taken ever. But we need an integrated system. It is not possible for the DMP to work alone, they need the co-operation from the drivers and the pedestrians. And the DCC traffic division need to be co-operative as well.
Golam Morshed This is silly action. People of Bangladesh are not so law abiding that they will oblige to any technology straightaway. First, through massive publicity in the media people have to be made aware of the new system and penalties for not obliging. Do we have speed cameras or close circuit cameras to spot violators? Can we impose penalties correctly? If all the drivers and vehicle users have national ID card, it must not be difficult to spot them if close circuit cameras at traffic lights work. In Australia, we have to be so alert all the time. There is no way that anyone breaching any traffic law can escape. We understand in Bangladesh it is no so easy. But without preparation piecemeal solutions are a waste of time.
Saleque Sufi Nobody should be above the law - Bangladesh really needs to educate people on these issues slowly. An automated system will not change the traffic problems overnight. It will take its time for sure, so we need to be patient!
Dr Samiul Haque From personal experience I've seen how much ignorant the drivers are about the traffic rules. And how much they tend to defy the rules even though they know those. I hope this new move will make the drivers follow the rules for their own sake, as they are not going to have the traffic police to blame for the sufferings. But lack of use and supervision obviously caused the automated system to break down. I hope the authorities will take the necessary steps soon. It's time for changing people. You change yourself first, and others will follow.
Md. Jobayer Bin Shafique Traffic signal breakers are lawbreakers. This is nothing surprising as we live in a country where a convicted fugitive gets presidential pardon!
MK I wish there were some public service announcements in all the TV channels in Bangladesh, that would help people follow the traffic signal pattern. The country is in dire need of some guidelines, and TV can play a critical role in this matter.
Syed This is a good initiative, and we must hold on to it, despite the initial roadblocks/failures. It will take some time to get used to it. But once this stage is over, it will only get better for everyone, God willing.
Raihan Thanks to the DMP commissioner for his courageous step. The system is bound to develop. We need to hold our nerves. Chain the drivers of public buses, most of whom do not have a valid driving license. Forcing them to abide by the traffic law will improve the situation dramatically.
Touqueer Ahmed Khan I think this is a great initiative to maintain the automated traffic signalling system. Though it seems to be ineffective, but in the long run I think it should be effective. Our drivers should try to understand the system. It will be a learning session for them to follow the rules. The main responsibility of the traffic police should be to check that the drivers are following the rules strictly.
Abduallh Al Rahed Automated traffic light signals will not work unless and until these are synchronised with the volume of traffic passing through the different roads at different times of the day and the night. This means the duration of red light and green light at a particular traffic intersection will have to vary through the day and the night. I am not sure whether the police have this very important data with them from hour to hour for the different intersections in the city. Without such data, introduction ( or reintroduction ) of automated traffic signals can never produce the expected results.
M. M. Rahman To get an impression about any city and behaviour of the countrymen, the best thing is to see how they move. So, to create a positive impression we have to follow this modern but basic signalling system not only in Dhaka but in all other cities and towns. I would urge the authorities not to scrap this system again.
Shafiqul Islam How long did the Bangladesh government advertise regarding the traffic rule change on local TV, radio and also through other media of the country? There should have been a thorough awareness campaign done at least a month before putting the system in place.
Kabir I think that it's a better way to control traffic jam. But most of the general people and drivers are not very much aware of this system.
MD. Alamgir This is a good initiative I think. Though there could be some problems at the initial stage. But I hope for the best, as the authorities have planned to observe & take corrective measures before finally implementing this rule. Drivers disobeying the traffic signal must be fined. Also pedestrians crossing the road among running vehicles & slowing down the traffic flow should be controlled strictly.
Rabeya Akter I was on the road and found out that the traffic officers and sergeants were still using their hands for signals. So, what's the use of initiating the new system?
Jawad I would ask the DMP to learn first, then practise and finally implement it for the public. Don't make the people suffer further.
Ms A standard city should have 25% of its total area as road. But in Dhaka it is about 8% only. Besides, the population limit that Dhaka can support is three million. But it exceeds 1.5 crore. So, how can we expect a road without traffic congestion?
Tanjeel An awareness campaign should have been conducted before introducing something like this.
Zack
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