Flouting of traffic rules?

Driving on the wrong side of the road has become the norm in Dhaka these days as highlighted by the front page photos published in this newspaper on Thursday. What is inconceivable is that police-escorted vehicles and VIPs should be committing this gross violation. In one of the photos, we can even see a policeman penalising some bikers for taking the wrong side of the road near Rupashi Bangla intersection, but oblivious of a government vehicle committing the same offence right beside him. It seems that some can violate traffic rules with impunity.  

We have, time and time again, pointed out that such utter disregard for traffic rules by those who should be setting us an example can only lead to chaos in our already flawed traffic system, encouraging more people to break the laws. We have witnessed buses of public offices and institutions break rules without any concern that they are holding up traffic and causing mayhem on busy roads and intersections. This is most unacceptable in a country that claims to be civilised.

The unlawful use of the road not only threatens urban order, but also people's lives. Unfortunately, two untimely deaths by vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road, within the last one month, do not seem to have moved the conscience of the city-dwellers, at any rate, of the people high up.

We expect the police to apply the rules equally to all, and a directive should be issued from the top to end this atrocious practice.