Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has strongly urged the vehicles including motorbikes, and unauthorised auto-rickshaws to refrain from driving on wrong sides of the roads to ease traffic congestions.
DMP came up with the request after issuing a media release on Sunday.
It also asked the public to refrain from engaging in unnecessary disputes with traffic police or members of the Traffic Assistance Group (TAG) while moving in the wrong direction with vehicles.
DMP also warned that legal action will be taken against those who violate these directives.
According to the media release, it is frequently observed in Dhaka city that rickshaws and battery-operated rickshaws (which are risky) move in the wrong direction on various roads.
In most cases, passengers encourage rickshaw drivers to take the wrong direction.
Besides, rickshaws are often seen on major roads of Dhaka, including those where buses operate and where rickshaw movement is not permitted.
Most of the time, passengers tend to persuade rickshaw drivers to enter unauthorised roads.
Such unauthorised and wrong-way movement of rickshaws disrupts normal traffic flow, exacerbates congestion and leads to severe road accidents.
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Meanwhile, disputes often arise between traffic police or members of the Traffic Assistance Group (TAG) and the violators, obstructing official duties, which may lead to criminal action against the involved passengers or drivers.
Similarly, motorcycles and CNG-run auto-rickshaws are often seen traveling in the wrong direction on various roads in Dhaka, increasing traffic congestion and road accidents.
When on-duty traffic police attempt to enforce the law against wrong-way driving, passengers or drivers often resist legal action, leading to criminal offenses that may result in their arrest and prosecution.
Besides, government vehicles and vehicles carrying professional identity markings (such as those labeled with government department names) frequently contribute to traffic congestion by driving in the wrong direction and parking recklessly on roads.
Recently, some individuals have been arrested and produced before the court for violating traffic rules.
The rickshaw passengers, rickshaw drivers, motorcyclists and drivers of government and other vehicles in Dhaka are strongly urged to avoid wrong-way driving and unauthorised movement.
Passengers are also requested not to travel in risky or unauthorised vehicles and to refrain from persuading drivers to enter restricted roads.
Meanwhile, the public is advised not to engage in unnecessary disputes with traffic police or members of the Traffic Assistance Group (TAG).