Accidents occur as minors drive three-wheelers

Number of minor drivers has increased after battery-powered three wheelers were introduced

A spurt in the number of minor drivers in Shailkupa upazila resulting in frequent accidents.  At least 2,000 accidents have taken place and over 10,000 persons have been injured due to reckless driving by minor drivers in the district over the past five years. In particular, students of secondary schools and madrasas are driving battery-powered rickshaws, rickshaw vans and easy bikes in the upazila.

According to leaders of battery-driven rickshaw, rickshaw van and easy bike associations in the district, the number of three wheelers is about 5,500 in Jhenaidah Sadar, 9,000 in Shailkupa upazila, 5,000 in Kaliganj upazila, 3,000 in Moheshpur upazila, 2,500 in Kotchandpur upazila and 2,000 in Harinakundu upazila.

The number of minor drivers has increased after the battery-powered three wheelers were introduced. Day labourers and secondary-level students are mostly driving these vehicles.

The leaders said that at least 50 per cent of 24,600 drivers of such three-wheelers, were minors. They belong to poor and disadvantaged families.

Abdus Sabur, 13, told The Independent that he drove the van as his parents could not afford his educational expenses. “I drive the van in the morning and also in the afternoon after the school is closed,” he said.

Mohammad Ali, 14, said many students were driving battery-driven rickshaws and rickshaw vans in the district. “All of them belong to poor and underprivileged families,” he added.

Alamgir Mahmud, a resident of Jhenaidah town, said: “Battery-driven rickshaws and rickshaw vans are the main mode of transport in rural areas. It’s very risky to cross even well-constructed roads in villages as most of the drivers are minors.”

Mohammad Sham Saikh, a leader of the battery-driven rickshaw and rickshaw van association in Shailkupa, said: “We know that the lights and electronic horns are affecting the eyes of pedestrians and creating noise pollution. We're trying to motivate the drivers to replace them with environment-friendly lights and horns at an early date.”

When contacted, Azbahar Ali Shaikh, additional superintendent of police in Jhenaidah, said even though battery-driven rickshaws and rickshaw vans are not allowed in the district town, they can be seen in upazila-level headquarters and rural roads in the district.

“As the drivers belong to poor and disadvantaged families, we don’t stop them,” he added.

 

Accidents occur as minors drive three-wheelers

Number of minor drivers has increased after battery-powered three wheelers were introduced

A spurt in the number of minor drivers in Shailkupa upazila resulting in frequent accidents. At least 2,000 accidents have taken place and over 10,000 persons have been injured due to reckless driving by minor drivers in the district over the past five years. In particular, students of secondary schools and madrasas are driving battery-powered rickshaws, rickshaw vans and easy bikes in the upazila. According to leaders of battery-driven rickshaw, rickshaw van and easy bike associations in the district, the number of three wheelers is about 5,500 in Jhenaidah Sadar, 9,000 in Shailkupa upazila, 5,000 in Kaliganj upazila, 3,000 in Moheshpur upazila, 2,500 in Kotchandpur upazila and 2,000 in Harinakundu upazila. The number of minor drivers has increased after the battery-powered three wheelers were introduced. Day labourers and secondary-level students are mostly driving these vehicles. The leaders said that at least 50 per cent of 24,600 drivers of such three-wheelers, were minors. They belong to poor and disadvantaged families. Abdus Sabur, 13, told The Independent that he drove the van as his parents could not afford his educational expenses. I drive the van in the morning and also in the afternoon after the school is closed, he said. Mohammad Ali, 14, said many students were driving battery-driven rickshaws and rickshaw vans in the district. All of them belong to poor and underprivileged families, he added. Alamgir Mahmud, a resident of Jhenaidah town, said: Battery-driven rickshaws and rickshaw vans are the main mode of transport in rural areas. Its very risky to cross even well-constructed roads in villages as most of the drivers are minors. Mohammad Sham Saikh, a leader of the battery-driven rickshaw and rickshaw van association in Shailkupa, said: We know that the lights and electronic horns are affecting the eyes of pedestrians and creating noise pollution. Were trying to motivate the drivers to replace them with environment-friendly lights and horns at an early date. When contacted, Azbahar Ali Shaikh, additional superintendent of police in Jhenaidah, said even though battery-driven rickshaws and rickshaw vans are not allowed in the district town, they can be seen in upazila-level headquarters and rural roads in the district. As the drivers belong to poor and disadvantaged families, we dont stop them, he added.