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 for
Dhaka to retain and expand the modal share of walking trips, which share the bulk of all short trips
made. However, pedestrian facilities are perhaps the most neglected and unattended ones in transport
planning of Dhaka city. Day by day, the rate of fatality is increasing in an unabated manner. If the rate
has to be controlled, it is imperative to know the various factors which result in the violation of traffic
regulations by the pedestrians. This paper aims to know the various underlying reasons behind the
pedestrians' non-compliance with the road safety regulations using both qualitative and quantitative tools
of 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 have
made them a hub for hawkers, beggars, addicts which demotivates the pedestrians in using them. Failure
to provide and maintain road signs and markings, lack of education of road users, poor enforcement of
traffic regulations etc. are some of the other factors which result to traffic rules violation by the
pedestrians. The study provides a modest suggestion to the government that they should think of giving
road safety issue a priority in the policy agenda. Moreover, necessary steps should be taken to increase
the current road crossing facilities along with the formation of a watchdog body that will monitor the
violations from time to time. Lastly, mass awareness building programs have to be initiated for educating
both the pedestrians and the drivers regarding the road safety regulations.