A total of 298 people were killed and 860 sustained injuries in road accidents across the country during the Eid-ul Fitr vacation. A report of Bangladesh Jatri Kallyan Samiti presented the statistics at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Saturday. It said the accidents took place within 13 days from May 30 to June 11.
It’s learnt that, compared to previous Eid, the number of road accidents reduced to 19.39 per cent while the death toll was 24.17 per cent lower and the number of injuries came down to 48.99 per cent. It’s also found that, motorcycles were more accident-prone mode of transport as 33 per cent of all accidents were involved with the vehicle. However, the organisation in its report said that journey of the homebound people was smoother this year as the conditions of roads and highways were better.
We also admit that, the road journey was comparatively easier and smoother this year in comparison to previous year. Obviously, it was an improvement. Specifically, in Dhaka-Chattogram highway, traffic jam was remarkably reduced due to opening of Second Meghna Bridge and Gumti Bridge. But the big pleasure turns into great sorrow when we see increasing fatality and bloody accidents one after another on the roads. It’s not the first time. Each and every year, a huge number of people are killed on roads. Apparently, it has become a regular phenomenon during Eid journeys.
Reasons behind most of the road accidents are reckless driving by the unskilled and unlicensed drivers. Besides, unfit vehicles and violating traffic laws add miseries to the story. Side by side, inaction of police in many cases due to underhand dealings make the situation more critical. Police and court sources said most road accident cases are settled outside the court and police officers act the roles of middlemen. A source close to the Police Headquarters said only 4-5 percent road accident cases see conviction a year. So, anyone can understand well what’s going on!
We do urge the authorities concerned to take effective measures for establishing rule of law in the disorderly transport sector. Otherwise, all the achievements in this sector will go in vain.
