It's crucial to bring discipline

The whole country was shocked following the death of two college students killed in a road accident on airport road in the capital on July 29 this year.

Centering the incident, the students in Dhaka started movement demanding safety in roads. At that time various kinds of initiatives were taken to bring discipline on the road. Even, Road Transport Act was enacted. As a result, the situation seemed improving. But, later all the efforts became sluggish as usual. People are losing their lives in various spots of the country every day. A lot of people are becoming physically injured following the road crashes.

A total of 35 people were killed in last couple of days. Two people died and 25 received injuries when a passenger bus plunged into a roadside ditch in Khoksa upazila of Kushtia on Sunday morning. At least nine people including two students were killed in road accident in seven districts on that day. Besides, Bus and truck collision left five people dead and injured 20 others in Bangabandhu West Bridge area on Thursday. A pregnant woman and her daughter were killed when an auto-van rammed them in Pabna. Two school teacher were killed in a collision between a truck and a motorbike in Mollahat of Bagerhat. A college studied died when a vehicle ran over his bike. Five passengers were killed when a bus hit a human hauler in Gazipur. Six more were killed in separate road accidents in Faridpur, Noakhali, Patuakhali and Kurigram.

Basically, the deaths on roads is going on. According to a statistic, 25,120 people were killed in road accidents in last three and half years. Meanwhile, 62,482 people received injuries during the accidents. Accident Research Institute (ARI) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) reported that 90 percent road accidents took place following the reckless driving and additional speed. Rest 10 percent accident took place for other reasons. Driver's reckless attitude, lack of awareness of pedestrian and faulty roads are the reasons behind these accidents. 

Strict steps should be taken against the drivers to stop reckless driving. Side by side, awareness is needed so that drivers are not forced to do additional work. Although, all the drivers don’t drive their vehicles recklessly, however, accident can be taken place by them if they don’t remain physically fit. Specially, the drivers who drive vehicles at night, they don’t get sufficient rest. But, the vehicle owners and drivers don’t take the issue seriously. Even, many drivers drive vehicles at night without any rest to earn more.

Drivers are not allowed to ply vehicles more than eight hours a day, according to the legal guidance in this regard. But, no one follow the direction. Drivers of long route drive vehicles 16 to 18 hours at stretch. This tendency increase during two Eid vacations. 

It is learnt that seven points planning were took place since 1997 to stop road accidents. Various types of steps were taken but, it was not possible to reduce the rate of accident. Experts identified the reasons behind road accidents and provided recommendation in this regard. But, there is nothing fruitful. Passengers' welfare associations made some recommendations to prevent accidents. The recommendations are- combined steps of owner-worker-passenger-government to reduce the casualties and losses of road accidents on emergency basis, Evacuation of expired vehicles without fitness, International standard training to the drivers, contractual recruitment shut, repair of damaged roads, implementation of traffic law, strengthening of BRTA, political influence free traffic sector and footpath construction.

Discipline should be brought in roads. Nowdays, there is no guaranty that people will return home safely. We all have to ensure the safety issue. There is no alternative of it. All concerned including government-owners-workers should show sincerity to reduce road accidents. The drivers, vehicle owners, passengers, pedestrians and those who control traffic system should play their roles accordingly.


risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 6, 2018/Ali Nowsher/Nasim