IN the last six months – from January to June– 2329 people were killed and 4361 others received injuries in 2159 road accidents on National and Regional highways, and Inter-District roads across the country. Of the dead, there were 291 women and 381 children. Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum at a press conference on Wednesday revealed the survey report along with data.
Road accident has become a common feature in the country. Despite taking a number of preventative measures, the road accident rate is still high. Last year, a High-Level Government Committee submitted a report on road accidents along with 22 recommendations including action against the drivers and owners of the vehicles, considering physical and mental fitness of drivers for giving license, and installing night vision speed detection camera and issuing appointment letters for drivers.
There is no doubt that number of deaths in road accidents has alarmingly shot up in recent times. Passengers have been made victims of thousands of avoidable and unaccepted accidents. Multiple factors are liable for road accidents – fake drivers, poorly built vehicles with substandard raw materials, bad condition of roads, reckless driving etc. We know, it’s not an easy task to make the roads and highways accident-free overnight. But it doesn’t mean that authorities can pass time in a relaxed mood without taking preventive measures. The authorities concerned must prioritise what comes first.
We think, the drivers must be relieved from excessive driving – their shifts in duty must be monitored and the bus owners (as buses are responsible for most of the fatal accidents) should also not force them to drive in the wee hours. Here, active involvement of the Highway police is a must in regular scrutiny of long distance vehicles and checking documents of the drivers. Apart from it, the authorities need to take more sincere and effective steps so that pedestrians and other stakeholders become aware for which yearly death tolls from road crashes subside.
It’s a matter of great regret that the country has continued to witness a large number of road accidents despite massive nationwide road safety movement last year. That means no visible progress has been achieved in this sector. This cannot continue for an uncertain period.
Road accident has become a common feature in the country. Despite taking a number of preventative measures, the road accident rate is still high. Last year, a High-Level Government Committee submitted a report on road accidents along with 22 recommendations including action against the drivers and owners of the vehicles, considering physical and mental fitness of drivers for giving license, and installing night vision speed detection camera and issuing appointment letters for drivers.
There is no doubt that number of deaths in road accidents has alarmingly shot up in recent times. Passengers have been made victims of thousands of avoidable and unaccepted accidents. Multiple factors are liable for road accidents – fake drivers, poorly built vehicles with substandard raw materials, bad condition of roads, reckless driving etc. We know, it’s not an easy task to make the roads and highways accident-free overnight. But it doesn’t mean that authorities can pass time in a relaxed mood without taking preventive measures. The authorities concerned must prioritise what comes first.
We think, the drivers must be relieved from excessive driving – their shifts in duty must be monitored and the bus owners (as buses are responsible for most of the fatal accidents) should also not force them to drive in the wee hours. Here, active involvement of the Highway police is a must in regular scrutiny of long distance vehicles and checking documents of the drivers. Apart from it, the authorities need to take more sincere and effective steps so that pedestrians and other stakeholders become aware for which yearly death tolls from road crashes subside.
It’s a matter of great regret that the country has continued to witness a large number of road accidents despite massive nationwide road safety movement last year. That means no visible progress has been achieved in this sector. This cannot continue for an uncertain period.
