We have only written about road accidents and their prevention. But it does not seem to be of any use. Accidents are happening constantly. On April 21, Daily Azadi published a report entitled ’60 lives lost on the road in 15 days in Chittagong’. It said, dear child, Swami–the wife, relatives, neighbor, There is no guarantee that any coworker will leave the room and return safely. As soon as you get out on the road, it is like death. The relatives of the victims are demanding, Due to the lack of effective measures to prevent road accidents which are getting out of control day by day, many dreams are dying prematurely, Many family stories are ending. This sad news has now become our daily occurrence. Every day new names are added to the procession of unwanted deaths. The air is heavy with the wails and cries of bereaved families in the pain of losing their loved ones. The country’s roads are 15 days long from the start of the Eid trip on April 4 and back to work after Eid on April 18–407 people were killed and 1398 injured in 399 road accidents on highways. 31 road accidents than last Eid.25 percent, 24 killed.08 percent, Injured 147.43 percent increased. This information has emerged in the report of Road Accident Monitoring Cell of Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association. At this time, 60 people were killed in 25 road accidents in Chittagong city and district. 126 people were injured. According to the report of the Passenger Welfare Association, Since the Eid-centered road accidents increase at an alarming rate every year, the organization Road Accidents on Eid Yatra, The issue of overcharging and passenger harassment has been observed for a long time. observed, Due to the long holiday this Eid, 20 percent more people traveled than the target. An analysis of the accidents occurred, 40 of the total vehicles.50 percent motorcycles, 14.28 percent are trucks–pickup–Covered van–lorry, 6.50 percent of cars are micro jeeps, 5.96 percent Nachiman–Karimon–tractor–the lagoon–Mahindra, 6.14 percent autorickshaws, 12.11 percent battery rickshaws–easybike–the van–Bicycle and 14.46 percent of buses were involved in these accidents.
Such a tragic death on the road seems to be the destiny now. As a result, traveling by road has become a cause of panic. The most significant among the various causes of road accidents–Driver incompetence, Driver fatigue, Reckless speed of the car and lack of fitness of the car. There is only one question in the mind of the general public–When will the highway be safe?? Studies have shown, 90 percent of road accidents are due to over speeding of vehicles and careless attitude of drivers. The stakeholders believe that if the maximum speed of traffic on the highway is fixed and the drivers are forced to follow the specified speed by using the speed measuring device, the accidents will be reduced a lot. Moreover, the driver’s competence has to be confirmed in issuing the license. Highway construction and renovation work should be done according to proper plan.
The report in Azadi alleged that, BRTA is responsible for monitoring road accidents, Although there is traffic police and district administration, none of the departments have coordination between them to prevent this problem. Chittagong Metropolitan and District Police are required to prepare a report on road accidents every month and send it to the higher authorities.
Earlier we informed the readers that, The Road Safety Foundation presented some recommendations to prevent road accidents. The organization said, Increase initiatives to create skilled drivers, Fixing wages and working hours of drivers, Capacity building of BRTA, Ensuring unhindered enforcement of traffic laws between vehicle occupants and pedestrians, By stopping the movement of low-speed vehicles on the highway, separate roads have been created for them, Construction of road dividers on all highways, Extortion of public transport is stopped, Reducing pressure on roads by renovating and expanding railways and waterways, Formulation and implementation of Sustainable Public Transport Strategy and Road Transport Act–If implemented in 2019, road accidents will reduce to a large extent. However, the speed of goods carrying vehicles including trucks and motorcycles must be controlled. It has now become necessary to ensure the proper implementation of this law.
