Planning, co-operation needed for road safety

Traffic fatalities have been trending upward now. It seems to us that nothing can stop the deaths on roads.

Five from one family among 10 killed in lorry crash in Bhaluka of Mymensingh district on last Friday. Seven more people were killed on the same in other places of the country. Later, on Sunday, 20 others were killed including 13 workers in a head-on collision between a truck and an engine-run vehicle at Damurhuda of Chuadanga.

Road accidents take place everyday across the country taking innumerable lives. At least 400 people were killed in last one and half month. Sometimes all the road accidents were not highlighted in media. So, the real number of road accidents is much more than existing data. 

There is no guaranty of safe return. Road crashes are taking lives continuously. Besides, a large number of people are becoming disabled or losing ability to work due to road crash. At one stage, these road crash victims became burden to family, society and the country.

Our roads and highways have become a death trap. Sometimes, it seems to us that the authority has no headache in this regard. Vehicle without valid permit, fitness certificate, reckless driving, driving without license are the main reasons behind road accidents, according to a survey. However, these vehicles faulty vehicles are plying on highways.

A large number of people got driving license without proper training. As a result, people are losing their lives in road accidents by bus, truck, Nasiman, Kariman and other vehicles. Many families are losing their main earners. In most of the case, drivers and helpers flee the accident spots after road crashes. And these drivers grab the steering wheel again just few days later and kill people again.

Road accidents cause loss of thousands crore taka every year. Co-operation and strict steps should be taken to overcome the situation.

The Cabinet on Monday approved in principle the draft of the 'Road Transport Bill, 2017', making it mandatory for drivers to have passed eighth grade to be eligible for driving licence. There are lots of act in the country but most them are not materialized properly. Combined effort is needed not new acts.

People from all walks of live should come forward to prevent road accidents. Errors on highways should be removed. Besides, drivers have to drive their vehicles following traffic rules. In addition, the passengers and jaywalkers have to follow traffic rules.

A specific part cannot stop road accidents. Everyone should work together consciously in this regard.


risingbd/Dhaka/Mar 28, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Nasim