Pedestrians have a responsibility too

Of late, the number of road accidents has increased alarmingly, in Dhaka city in particular, and in the country as a whole. Mostly, the reason has been pointed out to be reckless driving by bus drivers with their faulty transports. However, putting the blame alone on bus drivers and their shabby vehicles would not be right. We, the pedestrians, are also equally responsible for this. Jaywalking, crossing roads without using zebra crossings, underpass or overbridge, talking over the cellphone while crossing roads, etc., by pedestrians are also contributing to road accidents. It has been observed that some motorbike riders under the various ride-sharing networks also drive their bikes recklessly. A fatal accident at Airport Road a few weeks back is an example of this.

Pedestrians and bike-users must rectify themselves and follow the safety rules of the traffic police. A little patience can save lives. We shouldn't just blindly follow everyone else, most of whom are regularly breaking traffic rules and regulations. We should concentrate on our own conduct and make safety a priority on the road.

Jawad-Ul Islam, by email