ROAD safety measures have largely been ignored for years amid series of fatal accidents on roads and highways across the country. A passengers’ rights platform reported that between January 1 and April 20 this year, 1,841 people were killed and 5,477 injured in 1,779 road accidents across the country. It also observed that, capital’s 87 per cent public buses and minibuses are plying defying traffic rules. It’s an open secret that illicit nexus among some government officials and transport operators allowing plying of unfit vehicles by unskilled drivers. These drivers are mostly responsible for fatal accidents due to their reckless driving.
What we see that, culture of impunity and unbridled corruption are the obstacles for enforcement of the recommendations made by National Road Safety Council (NRSC). Years after years, the NRSC recommendations for being more judicious in giving fitness certificates and registrations to unfit vehicles have been overlooked. Besides, proper training for drivers and bringing drivers, owners, and fitness authorities responsible under the law were also neglected. The existing scenario is enough to make us worry that anybody may be the next victim of the road mishap anywhere.
The recent death of Rajib Hossain who lost his arm pinned by two overtaking buses in the capital and loss of arm of a transport worker in a truck-bus accident in Gopalganj are just two of many incidents across the country that nudges us. According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, 56,410 vehicles, including 3,740 belonging to different ministries and government agencies, have not had their fitness certificates renewed for more than a decade. So, there is no doubt that anarchy rules the road sector. Rights campaigners observe that road transport sector is one of the most corrupt sectors in the country.
When two ministers are the leaders of two transport owners and workers’ associations, than how will the government secure the interest of common people without securing the interests of the cabinet members? At present Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan is the executive president of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation and state minister for local government Moshiur Rahman Ranga is the executive president of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association. Apart from administrative corruption, extortion in this sector is also going unbridled under the banner of ruling party-backed workers and owners associations.
If the present trend continues, the anarchy in the transport sector will go beyond control. The government must take immediate step to enforce 52 recommendations made the NRSC to bring discipline in this sector.
We think, a comfortable public-based communications system with ensuring road safety did not develop here due to the government’s unplanned and corruption-prone project-based development with lack of foresightedness. This is very much disappointing. Learn to be competent, the lives are lost.
