Selim Reza with Tanvir Ahmed, Sirajganj :
Due to the reckless driving, ignoring traffic rules and signals, overtaking tendency including various mismanagements the rate of road accidents increasing frighteningly on the highways of Sirajganj district.
Total 110 people died in 62 accidents on highways and different regional roads in Sirajganj in 2019 which rate is comparatively higher than previous year’s 55 accidents claiming 85 lives and wounding 145 of them 28 have become physically disable permanently.
According to top official sources, “Vehicles from 21 districts in the north-western part of the country are using 94 km highways of Sirajganj regularly connecting the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge to Hattikumrul and Bogra, Bogra to Nagarbari and Nator to Bonpara. Last year total 81 people killed in 46 accidents in this highway. Besides, 29 more died in 26 accidents on regional roads of Raiganj, Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Kamarakhand, Belkuchi upazilas. However, details of some of the accidents were not recorded as relatives took the bodies to avoid the case and fear of autopsy. As a result, the actual rate of accidents and casualties is more than the above mentioned survey.”
Akhtaruzzaman, Officer- In- Charge (OC) Hattikurul Highway Police Station said, “Accidents are on rise due to diverse mismanagements including excessive vehicle pressure, driver inefficiencies, reckless overtaking, ply of unlicensed vehicles and unauthorized three-wheelers on roads. Besides, the poor conditions of the regional roads are also responsible for accidents.”
Syed Shahid Alam, Officer-In-Charge (OC) of Bangabandhu Bridge West Police Station said, “Last year, 18 were killed and 27 injured in 16 accidents on the highway up to the Nalaka of Bangabandhu Bridge West and Hattikumrul link Road only for reckless driving.”
Ansar Ali, General Secretary of Sirajganj Motor Workers Union blamed unplanned roads and highways as the main cause of the accident. He said, “There are several bends on this highway, which are not visible from one end to the other. Besides, driving at over-speed is another major cause of the accidents. To reduce accident rates the motor workers have some responsibilities also. On the other hand, if the owner maintains the fitness of the vehicle, the accident will be greatly reduced.”
Locals said to this reporter,” After crossing the western roundabout of the Bangabandhu Bridge, most of the drivers become reckless to start overtaking competition and this the core reason for accidents in this highway.”
Many locals also said allegedly, “There is no discipline on the highway. Ignoring the order from High-court, many unauthorized three-wheeler transports, and battery operated auto-rickshaw, shallow engine-powered scooters are still plying on this highway imposing the threat of accidents.”
Accepting liability the drivers also said, “They holds the steering of buses or trucks after working as helper for two or three months taking driving license from BRTA through brokers. As we are mostly illiterate having no sound knowledge about traffic rules and signals, we usually drive on highways ignoring the rules and regulations according to our own will that accelerates the rate of accidents.”
Syed Miladul Huda, traffic inspector (TI) of Sirajganj said, “Illegal three-wheeler vehicles are not being allowed to operate on the highways. Although, some new regulations have been added to the new traffic law, no final directive has yet been enforced. After getting the final instructions we will try to keep the highways safe by enforcing new laws firmly.”
Due to the reckless driving, ignoring traffic rules and signals, overtaking tendency including various mismanagements the rate of road accidents increasing frighteningly on the highways of Sirajganj district.
Total 110 people died in 62 accidents on highways and different regional roads in Sirajganj in 2019 which rate is comparatively higher than previous year’s 55 accidents claiming 85 lives and wounding 145 of them 28 have become physically disable permanently.
According to top official sources, “Vehicles from 21 districts in the north-western part of the country are using 94 km highways of Sirajganj regularly connecting the west side of the Bangabandhu Bridge to Hattikumrul and Bogra, Bogra to Nagarbari and Nator to Bonpara. Last year total 81 people killed in 46 accidents in this highway. Besides, 29 more died in 26 accidents on regional roads of Raiganj, Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Kamarakhand, Belkuchi upazilas. However, details of some of the accidents were not recorded as relatives took the bodies to avoid the case and fear of autopsy. As a result, the actual rate of accidents and casualties is more than the above mentioned survey.”
Akhtaruzzaman, Officer- In- Charge (OC) Hattikurul Highway Police Station said, “Accidents are on rise due to diverse mismanagements including excessive vehicle pressure, driver inefficiencies, reckless overtaking, ply of unlicensed vehicles and unauthorized three-wheelers on roads. Besides, the poor conditions of the regional roads are also responsible for accidents.”
Syed Shahid Alam, Officer-In-Charge (OC) of Bangabandhu Bridge West Police Station said, “Last year, 18 were killed and 27 injured in 16 accidents on the highway up to the Nalaka of Bangabandhu Bridge West and Hattikumrul link Road only for reckless driving.”
Ansar Ali, General Secretary of Sirajganj Motor Workers Union blamed unplanned roads and highways as the main cause of the accident. He said, “There are several bends on this highway, which are not visible from one end to the other. Besides, driving at over-speed is another major cause of the accidents. To reduce accident rates the motor workers have some responsibilities also. On the other hand, if the owner maintains the fitness of the vehicle, the accident will be greatly reduced.”
Locals said to this reporter,” After crossing the western roundabout of the Bangabandhu Bridge, most of the drivers become reckless to start overtaking competition and this the core reason for accidents in this highway.”
Many locals also said allegedly, “There is no discipline on the highway. Ignoring the order from High-court, many unauthorized three-wheeler transports, and battery operated auto-rickshaw, shallow engine-powered scooters are still plying on this highway imposing the threat of accidents.”
Accepting liability the drivers also said, “They holds the steering of buses or trucks after working as helper for two or three months taking driving license from BRTA through brokers. As we are mostly illiterate having no sound knowledge about traffic rules and signals, we usually drive on highways ignoring the rules and regulations according to our own will that accelerates the rate of accidents.”
Syed Miladul Huda, traffic inspector (TI) of Sirajganj said, “Illegal three-wheeler vehicles are not being allowed to operate on the highways. Although, some new regulations have been added to the new traffic law, no final directive has yet been enforced. After getting the final instructions we will try to keep the highways safe by enforcing new laws firmly.”
