Take quick steps to bring discipline on roads

It can be said that this time Eid holidaymakers were able to make safe journey for their homes and share joys with their near and dear ones. During this time, road accidents were comparatively low. But different picture was seen to happen during the return journey. A number of road accidents have been reported during the return journey. According to news reports, at least 46 people were killed and many others injured in 16 districts during this time. According to the information of Jatri Kalyan Samity, the number of the deceased is 52 and the injured is more than one hundred and fifty.

A very tragic accident took place in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha. In the wee hours of June 23, a passenger bus hit a roadside tree as its driver lost control over the steering, leaving nine passengers dead on the spot and many others injured. Nine others succumbed to their injuries when they were on way to hospital. The accident took place on Rangpur-Dhaka highway around 5.00am in Bashkata BRAC More area of the upazila. A sand-laden truck rammed BRTC double-decker bus at Shayelashah area in Rangpur Sadar Upazila on the same time, leaving seven passengers of the bus dead on the spot and five others injured.

It seems an undeclared war is underway on the roads. Number of deaths is on the gradual rise. It is reported that road accident is happening every day, causing an irreparable loss to a family. It is said that Bangladesh is one of the accident prone countries. On an average, at least 15 to 20 people are killed in road crashes every day here in Bangladesh. But it is difficult to accept such deaths. An accident causes an irreparable loss to a family and after all it paralyses a family.

A question simply comes to mind that who is or are behind these road accidents and deaths. Who is paralyzing an organized family? It is often seen that reckless driving is the root cause for road crash. Accidents are also happening due to unskilled driver and unfit vehicle. In most cases, it is seen that the drivers have no proper training. Overtaking tendency among drivers is also noticeable. Drivers are also seen talking over phone while driving.

As per the information of Jatri Kalyan Samity, there are 31 lakh registered vehicles where 50 lakh unregistered vehicles and vehicles having fake number plates are operating in the country among whose 72 percent of vehicles have no fitness. Road accidents cannot be controlled if these vehicles are not brought under control. In many cases, it is noticed that underage drivers are driving without facing any problem, resulting in frequent road accidents.

But responsible persons are not showing their minimum interests to bring the situation under control. In this sense, BRTA, Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and traffic police cannot avoid this responsibility. Drivers violating the rules should be brought under punishment. Tougher action should be taken against drivers who are not complying with the traffic rules. Unfit vehicles and vehicles having no license should be declared abandoned. Even investigation into the road accidents is not done properly.

We do not want to see such unnatural deaths on the roads every day. Discipline on the roads should be restored at any cost. Reckless drivers should be stopped. License should not be given to the drivers who are unskilled and incompetent. There should be no compromise with unfit vehicles. Traffic rules should be maintained strictly. We expect that the authorities concerned will take immediate and proper steps in this regard.


risingbd/Dhaka/June 24, 2018/Ali Nowsher/AI