Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam has said anyone violating any provision of the newly enforced Road Transport Act-2018 for the first time will be awarded nominal penalty.
“If anybody violates the law for the first time, he/she will be slapped with nominal fines. Recurrence of the same violation will cause awarding of full fine or punishment as per the provision of the law,” he said.
The top cop in the capital made the statement at a press conference at DMP headquarters which was convened on Monday (Nov 4) amid confusion about the punishment under the new statute.
He said, “No cases will be filed in the first week of the enforcement of the law. After that, case recording will begin following the update of points of sale (POS) and the server.”
Shafiqul Islam expressed the hope that the increase in punishment in the new law will enhance the tendency of abiding by law among the people, contributing to improvement in traffic management.
He said DMP will impart training to its 800 officers on the new law and all the officers have already been asked to learn the law in details in one month.
The DMP commissioner said action will be taken if any traffic sergeant takes bribes from any traffic law violator by not suing him/her.
He claimed that 99 percent motorcyclists are now wearing helmets and admitted that those who are not wearing it are mostly police members and sergeants. “We’ve told all in traffic division that they will face departmental action if they violate the law.”
Shafiqul Islam anyone facing highest punishment under the law can appeal against the penalty and hearing will take place in case of such appeal.