Jatri Kalyan Samity emphasises 12-point plan to reduce road accidents

The Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity has expressed deep concern over a sharp rise in road accidents across the country, largely caused by potholes and damage to roads and highways due to heavy rains.

The organisation has urged the government to take urgent measures to repair these roads and to develop rain-resistant road construction and maintenance strategies.

Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, secretary general of the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, highlighted the alarming road safety situation in the country in a statement issued to the media on Tuesday.

According to media reports compiled by the association, the country witnessed 506 road accidents nationwide, leaving 520 people dead and 1,356 injured in the last month.

The association identified several major causes for the accidents:

• 1 Potholes and road damage caused by monsoon rain.
• 2 Unrestricted movement of motorcycles, battery-run rickshaws, CNG auto-rickshaws, and unauthorised vehicles like Nasimon and Korimon on highways.
• 3. Lack of road signs, markings, and streetlights allows sudden entry of vehicles from feeder roads.
• 4. Absence of road medians/dividers and obstructed blind turns due to roadside vegetation.
• 5. Construction flaws, vehicle defects, and disregard for traffic laws.
• 6. Wrong-way driving, extortion on roads, and passenger transport in goods vehicles.
• 7. Unskilled drivers, unfit vehicles, and overloading.
• 8. Reckless driving and long hours without rest for drivers.

The Jatri Kalyan Samity has outlined some recommendations aimed at improving road safety across the country. Here's a more detailed look at the suggestions:

1. Immediate repair of rain-damaged roads and highways.

2. Installation of adequate lighting for night-time travel on national and regional highways.

3. Training skilled drivers and issuing digital vehicle fitness certificates.

4. Developing footpaths and service lanes on major highways.

5. Eliminating road extortion, ensuring proper driver wages and working hours.

6. Setting up pedestrian crossings, road signs, and markings.

7. Enforcing the Road Transport Act with modern technology.

8. Expanding a high-quality national bus network and strengthening regulatory agencies.

9. Ensuring standard road construction, regular road safety audits, and phasing out unfit vehicles.

10. Initiative to scrap expired public transport vehicles and long-unfit vehicles.

11. Removing VAT and income tax from driving trainees.

12. To regulate the import and registration of motorcycles and battery-run rickshaws.