Traffic rules
Photo: A.M.Ahad / driknews
A news report published in The Daily Star on September 22nd caught my attention. The caption read, “Ban likely on mobile talk while driving.” The decision of the government to make buckling seatbelts while driving and wearing helmets when riding motorbikes mandatory is certainly commendable. In any law-abiding country this is the norm. But here in Bangladesh violation of law is the norm! In this country enforcement and implementation of law is missing. There are strict laws for polluters of environment, but we see that trees are being felled regularly; rivers, lakes and canals are being grabbed illegally; buildings are being built violating building codes. And in most cases, the organisations responsible to oversee these has also become partners in crime. So, it remains to be seen whether actually all the drivers in the country buckle their seatbelts and motorbike riders wear helmets from November 1st. It is very likely that many will not pay any heed to the new law because they know that in this country anything is manageable. They know that in this country law is not implemented strictly. The report further states that “anyone crossing the road instead of using a nearby footbridge or underpass would be taken to police custody for at least 24 hours.” This initiative is also commendable though somewhat unrealistic for the traffic police to achieve with their given manpower and efficiency. While in our country law is not enforced, at the same time the citizens are also at fault for having developed a habit of breaking the law. Some citizens would dump waste on the streets instead of dumping it in a dustbin. And most people do not use the footbridge. People who have given their plots to real estate developers do not really care that rods and other materials flood the streets of their neighbourhood causing sufferings to general people of there area and so on. What is required is a change in the mindset of the people. They must develop a habit of abiding by the law. At the same time, the persons responsible for enforcing the law must also implement their directives through actions and not by mere words. Even the great philosopher Socrates did not agree to defy the laws of the state.
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