The government has not been able to dope test any driver even in the two years since the road law was passed.
The test was one of the 111 recommendations of the National Road Safety Council to restore discipline on the roads.
However, transportation experts said drug-addicted drivers are largely responsible for roadside deaths and sexual harassment.
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Accident Research Institute (ARI) director Dr. Md. Hadiuzzaman said, “There are devices which can identify drug addicts instantly. With proper training, highway police can be given such devices. There are many classes of drugs in particular, and identifying alcohol is not as easy as identifying a drug addict”.
Even though the drivers are recklessly trampling the roads, there is no one to watch. In the face of the movement, everyone saw the light of hope when the Safe Roads Act in 2019 was finally passed. However, till now, bus drivers and workers’ anarchy has not stopped on roads and highways. To date, no one has dared to dope test them as recommended. The responsible people are passing the responsibility onto one another.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Director (Road Safety) Sheikh Mohammad Mahbub-e-Rabbani said, “We have taken up activities. We will be able to formulate the policy by talking to the concerned and starting activities. There are many issues related to tests here which are time consuming”.
However, executive council member of Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association Kazi Faridul Haque Happy said, “As there are provisions for renewal of licenses, authorities concerned can attach a dope test with them. If this test is conducted by BRTA during license renewal, it will be easier for us”.
‘Realizing the horrors of drugs, the government has insisted on dope tests. This dope test needs to be applied at all levels. I believe that if dope testing is made compulsory in all areas from education to employment, drug aggression will be greatly reduced, “said Md. Shamsul Haque Tuku.
He further said, “Bangladesh is not free from the global drug menace. That is why the young society is afflicted with the terrible disease of drugs. As a result, realizing the horrors of drugs, our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared war against drugs. No one disagrees that drugs destroy a society and a country. Therefore, everyone has to work together to stop the aggression of drugs, regardless of party affiliation”.
As a result of drivers’ taking drugs, accidents and sexual abuse are happening on the roads, experts have also suggested that transportation experts advise drivers not to renew their driving licenses if they do not agree to dope tests. Besides, action should also be taken against transport owners if they hire divers without dope tests.
