To restore order to the capital’s chaotic traffic and ease the daily struggles of its citizens, the DMP Traffic Division has been actively enforcing traffic laws through regular cases.
In the first 25 days of this year, the Traffic Division carried out operations on 19 days, filing a total of 38,662 cases. On average, nearly 1,500 cases were filed each day.
However, despite the surge in cases, the situation remains largely unchanged, with no visible improvement.
Experts argue that there seems to be no end to the violations of traffic rules, as illegal parking, wrong-way driving, and the disorderly operation of auto-rickshaws continue unabated.
They believe that the situation remains unchanged due to a widespread disregard for laws among the general public.
Meanwhile, those penalised have voiced complaints, alleging that the increased number of cases is being used as a form of harassment. There are also allegations that the police embezzle case-related funds by manipulating digital software.
“I left my motorcycle for just two minutes to buy food and when I returned, I found a ticket for illegal parking,” University student Masum Hasan Rabbi told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Another driver, Faiz Hasan, said, “I went to withdraw money from an ATM under Jahangir Tower and returned to find a traffic sergeant issuing a fine. How long will this harassment continue?”
Bangladesh Jatri Kallyan Samity Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury told TIMES of Bangladesh that police commit fraud in broad daylight.
“When a victim goes to deposit case-related fees, the police manipulate digital systems to embezzle most of the money that should have gone to the state exchequer,” he said.
He added that when complaints are lodged, complainants are harassed, while influential figures operating behind the scenes remain untouched.
Rejecting the accusations, DMP officials said the enforcement of laws is essential to restoring order. They pointed out that after the government’s directive, cases are being filed based on video evidence, which is also made available to those penalised upon request.
DC Tanveer Ahmed, head of the DMP Traffic Ramna Division, told TIMES, “Previously, cases weren’t based on videos, which led to complaints of bribery or influence for case cancellations. Now everything is done with video evidence.”
Traffic experts say people are not intimidated by the law, knowing it is flexible in their favour. In contrast, most countries impose much stricter penalties for traffic violations, and Bangladesh’s relatively lenient approach to law enforcement encourages non-compliance.
“Our laws need to be made more stringent so that citizens fear breaking them. Additionally, controlling the masses is impossible without proper enforcement. Along with stricter laws, there must be adequate deployment of traffic police and better monitoring,” said Adil Mohammad Khan, former general secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners and professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University.
Experts also suggest that the insufficient number of traffic police is a major reason for the failure to restore order on the roads.
If these measures are not swiftly implemented, experts warn, the traffic chaos in Dhaka will escalate, making urban life increasingly unbearable.
Widespread disregard for traffic laws
A persistent disregard for traffic laws has become a pressing issue in Dhaka, as traffic police report widespread violations across the city.
Conversations with officers on duty at various locations reveal a significant tendency among the public to flout traffic regulations, contributing to growing chaos on the roads.
Common infractions include illegal parking, reckless driving, speeding motorcycles, and uncontrolled auto-rickshaws, all of which have exacerbated congestion and caused an uptick in accidents.
Traffic inspector Lokman Hossain, stationed outside the Government Employees Hospital, explained, “Motorcycles and auto-rickshaws are the primary offenders when it comes to violations.”
He pointed out that while motorcycle riders often disregard traffic signals, auto-rickshaws have increasingly been seen on main roads.
He also highlighted that following last year’s government shift, the confusion surrounding the allowance of auto-rickshaw movement on major roads has only added to the disorder.
Shafiur Rahman, traffic admin officer for Lalbagh, echoed these concerns, noting that many citizens remain unaware of traffic laws.
“Some try to influence the system politically. The uncontrolled movement of auto-rickshaws is increasing accidents, while indiscriminate bus parking has led to an increase in ticketing.”
In Gulshan area, Inspector Md Delwar Hossain observed that while the locals there are generally more aware of traffic laws, irregular parking remains an issue. “I issue fines for illegal parking in ‘no parking’ zones, but since 5 August, we’ve encountered resistance from some individuals.”
Traffic police officers are given daily targets for issuing fines. Sergeant Hashem of the Highway Traffic Police on Kanchan Bridge stated that they are instructed to issue fines for overspeeding and for discrepancies in vehicle and driver documentation, as per higher authorities.
He also confirmed that their daily target is to bring 20 vehicles under legal scrutiny.
A widespread misconception persists among the public that traffic police officers receive a share of the fines they issue. However, senior DMP officials have strongly denied this claim.
“It is completely false and misleading to claim that police officers benefit financially from fines. All the money from fines is directly deposited into the national treasury via online banking,” Dewan Jalaluddin, DC of the DMP Motijheel Traffic Division said.
Rafiqul Islam, DC of the DMP Tejgaon Traffic Division, said, “The entire amount is transferred to the state fund via online banking. Those who believe otherwise are misinformed.”
Penalties for traffic violations
Traffic police have reported that most cases involve violations such as driving without a license, fake registration numbers, illegal parking, and ignoring traffic signals. Under the Road Transport Act of 2018, offenders face fines and imprisonment.
For example, driving without a valid license can result in six months of imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk25,000, or both. Similarly, driving a vehicle without proper registration can lead to six months of imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk50,000.
Using fake registration numbers could result in imprisonment ranging from six months to two years, along with a fine between Tk100,000 and Tk500,000. Violating traffic signals can lead to a fine of Tk10,000 and up to one month in prison. To curb illegal parking, violators face a fine of Tk5,000.
Despite these penalties, experts argue that enforcement alone is insufficient in creating lasting change. The widespread disregard for traffic regulations suggests that more stringent measures and greater public awareness are urgently needed to restore order on Dhaka’s congested roads.
