Dhaka: The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) today issued a traffic guideline for bus terminal-based public transport owners, workers, passengers, and pedestrians to ensure a safe, smooth, and hassle-free journey on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. “We requested all concerned to comply with the following traffic guideline for a safe and hassle-free journey ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha,” DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said in a statement issued today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, in case of emergency, the DMP has requested the public to contact the police control room or the national emergency number 999. The DMP has sought everyone’s cooperation in this regard.
The guideline includes specific instructions for public transport owners and workers. Buses must adhere to their schedules, and passengers are not to be charged beyond the prescribed fare. The guideline prohibits mistreatment or harassment of passengers, selling the same seat to multiple passengers, and carrying additional passengers on the bus roof without seats. The use of goods and animal-carrying vehicles for passenger transport, especially return vehicles, is not allowed. The guideline also emphasizes adherence to speed limits, prohibits reckless driving, overtaking in restricted areas, and driving under the influence or when physically unfit.
Further, drivers must possess valid driving licenses and registration documents. The use of mobile phones or earphones while driving and playing loud music in vehicles is prohibited. The guideline restricts driving on the wrong side of the road and mandates that drivers be employed only after verifying the validity of their licenses. Moreover, the guideline limits drivers to a maximum of five continuous driving hours and eight hours per day.
For general passengers, the guideline advises boarding buses only at specified terminals or counters and refraining from accepting food or drinks from strangers. Passengers are urged to keep their belongings secure and arrive at the bus counter or terminal before the scheduled departure time. Safety measures include using foot over-bridges, underpasses, or zebra crossings for road crossing. It is also not permissible to board or disembark from moving vehicles or travel as a passenger in vehicles designated for goods or animals.