Selfie and death on railway tracks

THREE children were crashed to death by a local train at Brahmanbaria while they were taking selfie on railway lines. Such instant deaths are beyond anyone’s grasp but use of new cell phone technology is changing lifestyle and making such tragedy a reality. Death on rail lines took place just two weeks ago in Sylhet and Mymensingh Railway Tracks. At least 20 people were killed in such accidents throughout the country over the past few months media reports said and all that happened instantly as the victims were walking along the railway lines and talking over cell phones. They were totally unmindful when trains overrun them.

We must say it is a clear reminder to the people living around the railway lines in cities and countryside and also the concerned authorities to take seriously such unwanted deaths to public attention. Particularly the Railway Authorities should immediately take steps to reform the signalling system and protect networks from trespassing. Bangladesh is not having a great railway system like many other countries, but the accidents are stark reminders that the growing problem we can no longer ignore. Not only do such accidents result in a tragic loss of life, they leave serious affects on victims’ families while people living around the railway lines remain vulnerable to such risks.

There is no doubt mobile users themselves are responsible in the first place for such tragedies, because they must know that railway tracks are not the place to talk with safety. Trains at best whistle; but if one does not listen because they are busy with cell phone, the ultimate will not take time to happen. It is very frightening that younger people use headphone on railway lines and when they engage in taking selfies such whistles don’t reach their ears. Almost all such accidents happened in such situation. We believe that Railway Authorities must increase vigilance against trespassing railway lines, there is a law about it but policing the long railway lines is almost impossible. What is most important in this case is to take up public awareness programme to make people conscious about the risk from unmindful movement along railway lines. Mobile phone operators around Railway Network may also introduce frequent SMS system to warn people on moving along railway tracks. Railway signalling system may be used to warn the people. They may also put in place a system; which will stop network of mobile phones when a train is at a safe distance.

We believe it is the responsibility of the concerned Railway Authorities how to address the situation. Our trains run hazardously with faulty signals, aging tracks, and other shortcomings. But Station Masters, Points-men, locomotive drivers and Guards on the trains may be better trained how to avoid such accidents.