THE Cabinet on Monday finally approved the draft of a new law titled ‘Road Transport Act 2018’ keeping provision of maximum five-year non-bailable jail term and Taka 5 lakh fine in the wake of juvenile protests demanding safety for roads. The previous transport law entitled the maximum penalty of three years jail with the provision of bail. The ruling party leaders and some Ministers have been saying for the last couple of days that this new law is the answer to what the students have been demanding. Is it true? No. The government has technically avoided the issue of capital punishment in the new law. Law Minister Anisul Huq said if the road accident is found to be deliberate or intentional it can be tried under the Penal Code 302 or 304. That means, these are two different laws.
Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said that two laws are completely separate while the new law has been formulated keeping road safety and other road-related affairs in mind. In this situation, a victim’s family will have to prove evidently that the accident was caused intentionally or deliberately. If it is possible, then he could go for suing a murder case to ensure capital punishment for the killer driver. In fact, it will be too hard for the common people.
Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association yesterday said passengers’ interest was not protected in the new law. The government did not keep its promise to enact a tough law as well as there is no guideline to resist extortion, extra fare, passenger harassment and other issues. It is clear that, government is still shaky to formulate a tough law apprehending total disorder in the transport sector, though it is controlled by two of its Cabinet Ministers.
Even so, we hope the authorities would be able to bring back discipline in the roads and ensure safe journey for the commuters. We want no more accidental death on the road.
