Traffic Alert is a Facebook group with over 10,000 members, who actively update each other about traffic situations on the roads of Dhaka city, often providing photos and suggesting alternate routes.

The idea of the group comes from Safaat Nabil, a 24 year old student of North South University. He explains, “Having to commute a lot and getting stuck in traffic everyday, I thought to myself that if I knew which roads are jammed up, I could take a different route or head out at a different time. So I decided to create a Facebook group with my friends – Tarin Yeasmin and Sabrina Yeasmin, which would aid people to make better travel decisions and save time.”

Being alerted about traffic is certainly very helpful but with the current political situation, the members' focus now also includes safety. If there is violence in any area – pickets, petrol bomb or cocktail blasts – or if a road accident has taken place, members post in the group, mentioning the time and location of the occurrence to warn others. Recently more members have started to inquire before making highway journeys as well and Safaat hopes to expand the group for other districts.

Kadin Ehsan Imdad, an 18-year-old A-Level student, says, “Seeing Dhakaiites work as one big group to ensure the safety of their fellow citizens is very promising. It's a brilliant attempt to alert the public about latest activities even before they hit the news.”

Anabil Shamal Rahman, 27, a Senior Executive at Grameenphone, has benefitted from the group on several occasions and tries to post updates whenever he can. He believes, “Traffic Alert will continue to be very useful as long as conversations do not digress from traffic/safety matters.”

If you like the idea of smarter, safer commute in our city, do consider joining Traffic Alert.
Link: www.facebook.com/groups/TrafficAlert.BD