Drivers
The DMP Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque recently revealed to journalists that "Over 70 percent drivers of the public vehicles carry fake licences in the capital and they are the most irresponsible and inefficient." Twenty-eight road accidents on an average occur in the capital every day. Fake licence holders mainly run most of the human haulers and minibuses on different routes in the capital. For the ongoing drive the following may be considered.
1) Introduce 20 teams each headed by a deputy commissioner to take driving-tests of the present licence-holders, starting with the human-haulers and minibuses.
2) Joint commissioners should monitor the activities of the personnel conducting the driving-tests of licence-holders, specifically the theory (all types of traffic signs, dos' and don'ts, etc). Stern disciplinary action should be taken against malpractice by officers including jail-terms and dismissal from service.
3) Traffic-rule violators must be fined heavily. As a beginning, Tk 1,000 for violating the lane-system and Tk 5, 000 for traffic-light violators. The amount should be doubled from July 2010. This is to discourage offenders who “slip” Tk 200 and get away. If the fine is heavy and the “slipping-fee” gets raised proportionately it would deter offenders and achieve the desired results.
4) Conduct patrols in specific checkpoints every other day to look for fake licence, impaired and underage motorists. Drivers should have their driving licence and registration ready.
5) The habit of minibuses blocking other buses to take in passengers creates tailbacks and jams. All buses should have serial numbers so that they cannot overtake. Waiting passengers will find the next serial number at bus-stands after every half a minute. The serial number should be taken the day before, every day, displayed and monitored strictly.
The authorities should take in as many suggestions from thinking citizens as possible.
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