MEDIA reports said at least 41 people were killed and dozens injured in road accidents in different districts during Eid vacation. These are reported figures but many fear the actual number may be yet higher. A report in Bangla Tribune– a subsidiary of Dhaka Tribune– on Thursday said at least 64 people get killed on an average daily in road and highway accidents throughout the country and this is no doubt a terribly high figure to produce the total death to 23,360 per annum.
We must say the high casualties on the roads and highways and the government claim of big development in our road transport system do not support each other. It is true the Communication Minister who is also the ruling party General Secretary often visits city bus terminals and highways with TV camera men to claim phenomenal progress in the country’s communication network. But roads and highways remain broken with potholes at many places. Many believe it is just a publicity stance of the Minister; which is not at least adding to human safety in real sense.
Corruption is failing plans to improve the road condition, police are not properly trained to control lawbreakers and the government is not using the political will to punish irresponsible drives, helpers and owners. The big budget on the communication sector is not helpful to save people from untimely death.
It is true the number of casualties becomes manifolds during Eid festivals. This year the weather is however good without much rainfall to add to accidents. But the Bangla Tribune report has depicted the terribly high fatality rates to deeply worry us about public safety on roads and highways. The real causes of death trap on highways must be effectively addressed and it depends on good road condition and effective enforcement of law on highways.
Reports identified competitive driving of fast moving vehicles as reason for most accidents when drivers attempt to overtake others at daylight and also at night. Overwork, doziness and fatigue are some other reasons. Dilapidated vehicles without fitness are also adding to such high figure of casualties. We must say such high casualty rate is not acceptable but who will take the responsibility to establish control on highways and discipline drivers and their helpers who cause many such accidents out of sheer whims.
We have highway police but not proving accountable and their number and monitoring capacity over long distance highways are also limited that need to be boosted. We must say speed monitoring at critical places and drivers and helpers behavior should be strictly watched by installing CCTV and other devices along the highways to bring the long distance communication system under effective monitoring.
Accountability must be established at trade union and transport owners’ level who are now enjoying impunity from killing people. Existing laws treat them as mere accidents degrading the value of human life. It must change.
We must say the high casualties on the roads and highways and the government claim of big development in our road transport system do not support each other. It is true the Communication Minister who is also the ruling party General Secretary often visits city bus terminals and highways with TV camera men to claim phenomenal progress in the country’s communication network. But roads and highways remain broken with potholes at many places. Many believe it is just a publicity stance of the Minister; which is not at least adding to human safety in real sense.
Corruption is failing plans to improve the road condition, police are not properly trained to control lawbreakers and the government is not using the political will to punish irresponsible drives, helpers and owners. The big budget on the communication sector is not helpful to save people from untimely death.
It is true the number of casualties becomes manifolds during Eid festivals. This year the weather is however good without much rainfall to add to accidents. But the Bangla Tribune report has depicted the terribly high fatality rates to deeply worry us about public safety on roads and highways. The real causes of death trap on highways must be effectively addressed and it depends on good road condition and effective enforcement of law on highways.
Reports identified competitive driving of fast moving vehicles as reason for most accidents when drivers attempt to overtake others at daylight and also at night. Overwork, doziness and fatigue are some other reasons. Dilapidated vehicles without fitness are also adding to such high figure of casualties. We must say such high casualty rate is not acceptable but who will take the responsibility to establish control on highways and discipline drivers and their helpers who cause many such accidents out of sheer whims.
We have highway police but not proving accountable and their number and monitoring capacity over long distance highways are also limited that need to be boosted. We must say speed monitoring at critical places and drivers and helpers behavior should be strictly watched by installing CCTV and other devices along the highways to bring the long distance communication system under effective monitoring.
Accountability must be established at trade union and transport owners’ level who are now enjoying impunity from killing people. Existing laws treat them as mere accidents degrading the value of human life. It must change.
