‘Road accidents reach alarming level’

Staff Correspondent: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that road accidents reach alarming level. So, a taskforce will be formed soon to take effective steps to prevent road mishaps across the country.

The Minister on Thursday told this to the reporters at the Secretariat while a committee formed to strengthen discipline in road transport sector and find ways to prevent road accidents submitted its report to the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.

Committee chief and former shipping minister Shajahan Khan handed over the report to the road transport and bridges minister. Moshiur Rahman Ranga, MP, was present on the occasion.

Replying to a question, Quader, also Awami League General Secretary, said the government is sincere to enforce the Road Transport Act-2018.

“Works are underway to formulate rules to enforce the law. Talks continue with stakeholders in this regard,” he said, hoping that the law would be enforced soon.

In February this year, the 15-member body was formed at the 26th meeting of National Road Safety Council, asking it to submit its recommendations by March 10 for preventing road accidents and bringing discipline on the roads.

The committee gave 111 recommendations to this end.

Quader said these recommendations will be placed at the next meeting of the National Road Safety Council on September 5 next. “No more delay. We want to start implementation work as soon as possible,” he added.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Md Nazrul Islam, columnist Syed Abul Maksud, cultural activist Rokeya Prachi and Additional Inspector General Police (IGP) Barrister Mahbubur Rahman (chief of Highway Police), among others, were present at the meeting.

risingbd/Dhaka/August 22, 2019/Hasibul/AKA