Pedestrians’ Non-Compliance with Road Safety Regulations in Dhaka City

Abstract

Since the Dhaka City's population is increasing, there is an urgency for sustainable transport policy forDhaka to retain and expand the modal share of walking trips, which share the bulk of all short tripsmade. However, pedestrian facilities are perhaps the most neglected and unattended ones in transportplanning of Dhaka city. Day by day, the rate of fatality is increasing in an unabated manner. If the ratehas to be controlled, it is imperative to know the various factors which result in the violation of trafficregulations by the pedestrians. This paper aims to know the various underlying reasons behind thepedestrians' non-compliance with the road safety regulations using both qualitative and quantitative toolsof social research. The findings of the study suggest that the existing road crossing facilities (overpass,zebra crossing) are inadequate as per demand. Poor monitoring and maintenance of the overpasses havemade them a hub for hawkers, beggars, addicts which demotivates the pedestrians in using them. Failureto provide and maintain road signs and markings, lack of education of road users, poor enforcement oftraffic regulations etc. are some of the other factors which result to traffic rules violation by thepedestrians. The study provides a modest suggestion to the government that they should think of givingroad safety issue a priority in the policy agenda. Moreover, necessary steps should be taken to increasethe current road crossing facilities along with the formation of a watchdog body that will monitor theviolations from time to time. Lastly, mass awareness building programs have to be initiated for educatingboth the pedestrians and the drivers regarding the road safety regulations.