Speakers at a media discussion in Dhaka on Wednesday called for the immediate removal of unfit vehicles from roads and highways to ensure safe and hassle-free travel for holidaymakers during the upcoming Eid vacation.
The recommendations came during a media discussion titled “The Mass Media Role in Road Safety” held on Wednesday at the meeting room of the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission in Shyamoli, Dhaka.
Keynote presenter Sharmeen Rahman, Project Coordinator, Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, made some urgent recommendations to the government, saying that road crashes and fatalities during the Eid pilgrimage have increased alarmingly in 2026 compared to 2025, which has once again brought to the fore the weakness of the system.
She said that the situation could become even more dire if effective initiatives are not taken now to make the Eid journey safe. Therefore, Dhaka Ahsania Mission has emphasized on controlling the speed of vehicles on the highway, stopping the movement of unfit vehicles, ensuring adequate rest for drivers, and operating mobile courts at important points.
Muhammad Jahangir Alam, General Secretary of the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) and Special Correspondent of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), stressed the importance of deploying an adequate number of highway police personnel to reduce road crashes.
He also urged the government to ensure that unfit buses are not allowed to leave the terminals.
Senior Reporter of The Daily Ittefaq, Jamiul Ahsan Shipu, said that long queues at toll plazas and bridges during Eid often create severe traffic congestion. To ease congestion, he recommended increasing the number of toll booths during Eid.
Senior Reporter of Daily Naya Diganta, Aminul Islam, said that although many laws exist in the country, loopholes within those laws often allow offenders to escape punishment.
He noted that the Road Transport Act also contains several weaknesses and limitations, making effective enforcement difficult and preventing a significant reduction in road crashes.
Touhiduzzaman Tanmoy, Staff Correspondent of JagoNews24.com, said that while road crash incidents are regularly reported in the media, the underlying causes and follow-up investigations are often missing from news coverage. He emphasized the need for comprehensive follow-up reporting on road crashes.
The moderator Shuvra Deb, Senior Reporter, Crime of Daily Manabzamin, said road safety is not the responsibility of any single organization or individual; rather, it requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, including the media.
The journalists also emphasized the importance of mandatory use of BSTI-approved helmets, limiting motorcycle passengers to two persons including the rider, preventing reckless lane changing, designating the left lane for motorcycles on highways, and strengthening monitoring to stop dangerous overtaking.
They also called for wider public awareness campaigns on road safety. The journalists at the discussion further observed that the quicker the government formulates and strictly implements a comprehensive Safe System Approach-based Road Safety Law, the sooner it will be possible to reduce disorder and fatalities on the roads.
They urged the government to prioritize the enactment and enforcement of such a law to ensure safer and more enjoyable journeys during Eid and throughout the year.
