Staff Reporter:
Experts have blamed reckless driving for most of the frequent road accidents occurring across the country during the Eid season. However, the unrestricted movement of banned three-wheeled vehicles and carrying extra passengers on motorcycles have also contributed to the rise in accidents.
In places like Bagerhat and Paduar Bazar in Cumilla, as well as several other areas, both the number of casualties and public anxiety have increased due to road accidents.
Professor Dr Shamsul Haque of BUET said that road accidents are increasing in the country. He said that due to the lack of a culture of accountability, accidents continue to rise one after another without much concern from anyone. Drivers without adequate skills are operating vehicles on highways and carrying passengers. In pursuit of higher profits, drivers are making more trips and often driving continuously for long hours.
As a result, accidents are occurring during transit. Road accidents are stemming from overall disorder. The current government has come to power with the mandate of the people, and therefore must take initiatives to eliminate this disorder. The public is paying the price for this chaos.
Liton Ershad, General Secretary of Nirapad Sarak Chai, said that their observations show most accidents are caused by overspeeding, violation of traffic laws, and driver negligence. Like previous years, the same pattern was observed during this Eid, marked by carelessness and irresponsibility. Although law enforcement activities were commendable in some areas, there was clear sluggishness and laxity in enforcing laws in many places. As a result, uncontrolled speed, risky overtaking, and a tendency to ignore rules have increased.
The operation of unfit vehicles and the collection of excessive fares from passengers have also risen at an alarming rate, highlighting weaknesses in overall management. For safe and comfortable travel, a long-term and coordinated plan is now essential. Without coordinated initiatives, strict law enforcement, and increased public awareness, it will not be possible to stop this procession of deaths on the roads. Eid travel should be treated as a special situation, requiring advance planning similar to disaster management.
Transport analyst Nur Nabi Shimu said that driver training must be improved, and the government needs to take more initiatives in this regard. The severity of accidents during this Eid holiday was evident, with many banned vehicles freely carrying passengers, resulting in a higher number of casualties.
