Reckless driving

Many of our drivers have been reported to be involved in drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs

Reckless driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents in Bangladesh. In fact, most of the accidents in our roads occur due to hasty and irresponsible driving by unskilled drivers. However, road accidents have increased at an alarming rate resulting in deaths and injuries of a huge number of people every year, experts pointed out at the seminar held at the Council Bhaban of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in the capital.

Additionally, driving without a license has been reported to be a common practice in our country due to lack of enforcement of traffic laws and impunity enjoyed by drivers. The stated two points, lack of enforcing law and impunity, in many respects inspire reckless driving. Another apparent reason is granting driving licenses illegally or without following the exact course of action.

According to a World Health Organization report (WHO), as many as 20,000 people die in road crashes in Bangladesh every year, one of the highest in the world. But how many drivers have been punished for reckless driving and killing innocent people as of now? Has anyone ever been arrested for operating a vehicle—private or commercial—without a valid license? How many families of victims have been compensated?

Referring to police reports, the seminar also revealed approximately 3,000 road accidents take place every year in the country and some 2,700 people are killed in the road accidents during the same period of time. Additionally, the estimated economic losses related to these accidents stand around at Tk 40,000 crore per year.

Problems related to road accidents in Bangladesh is multi-layered and complex. Drivers and their helpers are often sleep-deprived as their income depends not on fixed salaries but the number of trips they make, a fact that compels them to enter an unhealthy competition to make more trips. Moreover, many of our drivers have been reported to be involved in drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs.

What’s further learned from the latest findings is that, over speed of vehicles is the main reason in case of 43 per cent road accidents while being the second cause in case of 31 per cent road crash.

But only drivers cannot address the dilemma directly, and it is right here where authorities concerned must put their focus. The government and the owners/operators should work together to support and institute measures for improving road safety and strictly enforce traffic laws. Driving institutes should also render proper trainings on driving before handing out licenses.

Reckless driving

Many of our drivers have been reported to be involved in drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs

Reckless driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents in Bangladesh. In fact, most of the accidents in our roads occur due to hasty and irresponsible driving by unskilled drivers. However, road accidents have increased at an alarming rate resulting in deaths and injuries of a huge number of people every year, experts pointed out at the seminar held at the Council Bhaban of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in the capital. Additionally, driving without a license has been reported to be a common practice in our country due to lack of enforcement of traffic laws and impunity enjoyed by drivers. The stated two points, lack of enforcing law and impunity, in many respects inspire reckless driving. Another apparent reason is granting driving licenses illegally or without following the exact course of action. According to a World Health Organization report (WHO), as many as 20,000 people die in road crashes in Bangladesh every year, one of the highest in the world. But how many drivers have been punished for reckless driving and killing innocent people as of now? Has anyone ever been arrested for operating a vehicleprivate or commercialwithout a valid license? How many families of victims have been compensated? Referring to police reports, the seminar also revealed approximately 3,000 road accidents take place every year in the country and some 2,700 people are killed in the road accidents during the same period of time. Additionally, the estimated economic losses related to these accidents stand around at Tk 40,000 crore per year. Problems related to road accidents in Bangladesh is multi-layered and complex. Drivers and their helpers are often sleep-deprived as their income depends not on fixed salaries but the number of trips they make, a fact that compels them to enter an unhealthy competition to make more trips. Moreover, many of our drivers have been reported to be involved in drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Whats further learned from the latest findings is that, over speed of vehicles is the main reason in case of 43 per cent road accidents while being the second cause in case of 31 per cent road crash. But only drivers cannot address the dilemma directly, and it is right here where authorities concerned must put their focus. The government and the owners/operators should work together to support and institute measures for improving road safety and strictly enforce traffic laws. Driving institutes should also render proper trainings on driving before handing out licenses.