We are deeply concerned over the frequent road accidents in different parts of the country. Though people are dying in accidents on roads and highways every day, the authorities concerned look indifferent to taking any effective measures to ensure road safety.
We the people of the country demand drives against the illegal vehicles, including buses running without route permits and unlicensed drivers to prevent road accidents and save lives. We also call for the immediate start of mobile court drives on all the highways and roads across the country. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), police, highway police and district administration will have to get tough on illegal vehicles and unlicensed drivers.
At least 78,107 people were killed in 56,360 road accidents across the country between 2014 and 2023, according to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS). Besides, over one lakh people suffered injuries in road crashes during the period. But the government agencies concerned are not taking any effective measures to ensure road safety. As a result, roads and highways have turned into death traps for the travelers. Frequent road accidents and casualties become alarming in the country.
At least 78,107 people were killed
in 56,360 road accidents across the
country between 2014 and 2023
In the wake of the rise in fatal road crashes, the government, non-government organisations and universities have organised various programmes like seminars, workshops and discussions to prevent such road accidents. Besides, the print and electronic media continue running stories and editorials highlighting various road safety measures.
The government has been implementing massive programmes to build a developed road communication infrastructure in the country. It has extended the network of highways to 21,302,08 kilometers, upgraded 453,07 kilometers of national highways to four-lane, constructed or reconstructed 1,209 bridges, 5,581 culverts, 18 flyovers or overpasses and 27 underpasses.
But reckless driving, poor traffic management, movement of unfit and slow moving vehicles on highways, semiskilled drivers and lack of their physical and mental fitness, lack of capability of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, lack of awareness about traffic rules are blamed for road accidents in the country.
Therefore, whatever we do to prevent road crash, the fact is that there is hardly any improvement in road safety initiative in the last 10 years. People who travel from one place to another by road or highway are at risk of accidents. The government must take effective measures to bring discipline on the roads to save lives and for the interest of the country’s development.
