A positive approach to enhancing road safety in Bangladesh

Driving is a skill that requires proper training, knowledge, foresight, and endurance. Skilled professional drivers play a crucial role in ensuring road safety, leading to safer roads across Bangladesh. Achieving defensive driving skills is essential to create a favourable driving environment in the country, where road safety remains a significant concern. Each year, road accidents result in numerous casualties, causing distress for many families and leading to severe injuries and fatalities. Cultivating a culture of defensive driving can mitigate these losses, which are unacceptable in today's technologically advanced era. With coordinated efforts and genuine intentions, we can enhance defensive driving skills across various societal layers, particularly through driving schools and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

The following paragraphs will cover the concept of defensive driving, how best it can be imparted to various layers of society, and finally, blending this concept with the BRTA and existing training driving schools. Before that, some points will be highlighted on the present state of road traffic and the lack of traffic knowledge, present infrastructure of BRTA and finally potential problems and few recommendations.

What is defensive driving:

Defensive driving : Defensive driving describes the practice of anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others when operating a motor vehicle. It can be achieved by adhering to general guidelines, such as keeping a two- or three-second gap between the driver's vehicle and the vehicle in front to ensure an adequate space to stop. It is a form of training for drivers that goes beyond road rules and the basic mechanics of driving techniques. Defensive driving reduces the risk of collisions and improves road safety.

In Bangladesh's contexts, defensive driving needs more attention. Here, the driver needs to develop a sense of patience and continuous alertness about the front and rear of the vehicle and, above all, the speed limits of the motor vehicle on the road. The driver must have clear visibility through the rearview mirror and front windshield to stay aware of potential hazards on the road. It's important not to rely too much on the actions of other drivers, as doing so can hinder timely decision-making while driving.

Defensive driving involves anticipating potential hazards on the road and responding appropriately to avoid accidents. This practice includes maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and being aware of one's surroundings. It goes beyond basic driving techniques and emphasizes reducing collision risks and improving overall road safety. In the context of Bangladesh, defensive driving requires drivers to develop patience and vigilance regarding their surroundings and speed limits. Drivers should remain aware of potential hazards by utilising mirrors effectively and not overly relying on other drivers' actions.

Effective defensive and driving strategies include:

a. Anticipating the actions of other road users.

b. Maintaining control over one's vehicle.

c. Prioritising safety above all else.

d. Setting a good example for other drivers.

Present state of road traffic accidents:

According to a report by the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, from 2014 to September 2024, Bangladesh witnessed 105,338 fatalities and 149,847 injuries due to 60,980 road accidents. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for reforms in the transport sector to address chaos and mismanagement on the roads. Most accidents occur on national highways, regional highways, and feeder roads.

Every year October 22 is observed to raise awareness about road safety. The organisation above released the alarming statistics marking National Road Safety Day- 2024.The organisation attributed these tragedies to chaos and mismanagement on the roads and called for urgent reforms in the transport sector. They urged the establishment of a reform commission to address these critical issues. In the past 11 years, 88,127 vehicles were involved in road accidents, including 20,549 trucks, pickups, and lorries; 20,124 motorcycles; and 15,301 buses. Most accidents occurred on national highways (31.76%), regional highways (37.59%), and feeder roads (22.54%).

So, a culture of defensive driving can help curb such rising road traffic accidents.

Lack of traffic knowledge:

Traffic awareness remains inadequate in Bangladesh. Basic traffic safety education should be integrated into school curricula to enhance knowledge at all levels. Many professional drivers lack formal education and understanding of traffic rules, emphasizing the need for institutional knowledge on defensive driving. To be specific, they need to be made aware of defensive driving. Most of them passed the driving test from the BRTA and took it as their primary profession without the institutional knowledge.

Infrastructure of BRTA :

In our country BRTA is responsible for implementing government policies related to road transport. With numerous divisional offices and driving schools under its jurisdiction, there is a pressing need to enhance training programmes to include defensive driving techniques. Currently, many professional drivers receive minimal training focused solely on passing tests rather than developing a comprehensive understanding of road safety. It is learned that a competent listed institute and few private non-listed training companies mostly trained them to drive motor vehicles, and they impart fundamental knowledge to pass the test in BRTA. That is why professional drivers lack basic sense of discipline on the road and the concept of defensive driving is missing in their learning. So, if we want to improve the situation and reduce road traffic accidents, we must develop a system to impart professional knowledge on road safety and defensive driving skills through training schools and BRTA, especially for experienced drivers, because many of them went to school at a certain level, few were not at all.

Imparting defensive driving skills: Potential problems and Recommendations:

In Bangladesh, the term "defensive driving" seems unfamiliar to the drivers. However, this term is widely used in the UN and developed and developing countries. So, let's find out the potential problems to impart defensive driving skills to our people.

a. There are 147 driving schools listed under the BRTA. Additionally, there are several private driving training schools where most individuals learn to drive. Engaging all of them to teach defensive driving skills presents a significant challenge.

b. Since the term defensive driving is very unfamiliar in our country, we need to educate and create general awareness about defensive driving.

c. Our drivers need to learn the benefits of defensive driving, and their basic instincts are far from those of defensive driving skills.

d. There is a culture of aggressive driving and violation of traffic rules, but the law enforcement agencies need to improve policy enforcement.

e. There is a lack of interest in imparting knowledge about traffic rules and driving skills at different levels of our educational institutes.

f. Unfit motor vehicles are allowed to operate on the road without appropriate training, legal papers, and licences.

g. There is a lack of sound planning for the overall traffic system in Bangladesh

h. Mass people in this country are not much concerned about maintaining road and traffic discipline.

j. Bus, lorry, light vehicle, and three-wheeler drivers are all unfamiliar with the concept of defensive driving. More importantly, they are not committed or obliged to maintaining traffic discipline on the road. Bringing discipline on the road and developing a culture of defensive driving is a major challenge.

Ensuring traffic discipline and developing skilled professional drivers are essential for improving road safety in our country. Despite facing significant challenges, fostering a culture of defensive driving can help reduce accidents and prevent unnecessary fatalities on the road. Below are a few important points to consider:

a. A comprehensive handout as mentioned above on defensive driving needs to be prepared and must be integrated with the basic driving training system of BRTA.

b. Drivers to be trained and develop their memory so that they never forget the basic understanding of defensive driving. It needs practice and mindset

c. In defensive driving, drivers should always strive to set a good example to others. A good example observed may make a deep impression on other drivers, including students or inexperienced drivers. That includes the parking also so that other can move hassle-free around.

d. Many people are unfamiliar with the term defensive driving. An effort can be made to educate everyone through print, electronic media, and social media.

e. Strict compliance with traffic rules and enforcement of law must be ensured.

f. We need to educate children about traffic rules and regulations and basic norms on the road from the primary level and gradually in school and college.

g. We need to gradually develop our overall traffic management and synchronization with road, rail, and river transportation.

h. Special arrangements must be made for individuals already working in the driving profession. A dedicated task force at the divisional level can be established to conduct workshops or lecture sessions focused on practical knowledge for experienced drivers who are all ready in this profession. It is essential for everyone to participate in this process to be educated on defensive driving techniques.

g. The BRTA should emphasize training through institutes for educating drivers on safe driving skills; any deviation or violation of these rules must be addressed strictly.

k. To understand better defensive driving the following points must be kept in mind:

i) Managing the space around your vehicle.

ii) Expecting the unexpected

iii) Information gathering

iv) Maintaining awareness of other road user

v) Abiding by traffic rules and laws

vi) Using good communications including signals

vii) Effective use of mirrors (side and rear view mirrors)

viii) Managing speed

ix) Staying alert and aware

x) Let others go, set your mind positively

Conclusions:

Reckless driving continues to lead to tragic losses each year in Bangladesh. Many drivers lack familiarity with defensive driving principles, contributing to aggressive road behaviour. The resulting accidents not only affect individuals but also have broader social and economic impacts on society. By promoting defensive driving skills through public awareness campaigns and educational reforms, we can create safer roads for future generations. Engaging all stakeholders is vital in fostering respect for traffic regulations from childhood onward, ultimately enhancing road safety throughout Bangladesh.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Mosharof Hossain, G+, Arty Commanding Officer, Feni Battalion (4 BGB) [email protected]