The Road Transport Act- 2018 was passed three years ago, but its rules have not been formulated yet, preventing the authorities from executing some vital sections of the law which aims at curbing road crashes and bringing discipline to the road transport sector. In the meantime, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) continues to carry out its day-to-day functions, including issuing vehicles registration and fitness certificates, following old rules of the now-defunct Motor Vehicles Ordinance-1983.
Strangely enough, several key sections of the Road Transport Act remain ineffective following an understanding between transport associations and the government since the passage of the 2018 law. When the draft rules are still at the law ministry for vetting, the government has taken a new move to amend the act and its draft also has been prepared. The government says the law is supposed to bring discipline in the road transport sector. But since it has not improved the situation and rather worsened an amendment to the law is needed. In fact the government is breaking its own law on pressure from the unions. It needs no mention that workers and owners unions are so powerful that their wishes always prevail. So the crucial law remains unimplemented.
The country witnessed a 40 percent rise in road accidents and deaths in one year till last July when as many as 3,095 people were killed in 3,259 road crashes. The government was forced to pass the Road Transport Act on September 19, 2018 facing an unprecedented student protest when two students crashed under the wheels of a running bus. But the law did not come into effect immediately as road transport associations called strikes against several sections of the law. The government then agreed not to enforce several sections of the law which includes penalising those who drive large vehicles with licenses for light or medium sized vehicles. The authorities also agreed not to impose fines on some categories of modified vehicles. Police still do not file cases for operating such modified vehicles and BRTA still issues fitness clearances to such vehicles.
We would say when the transport unions think they are all powerful and dictate terms to the government, people’s safety on the road can’t be assured. It can only be expected if the government is elected, is responsive to people and cares for their life.
