Bangladesh’s road safety issues have been nothing short of a crisis

Staff Correspondent:

It is nothing short of a tragedy that road crashes continue to claim inordinate amounts of lives practically every month. Indeed, the grim statistics published in the newest report by the Road Safety Foundation reveal that at least 604 people lost their lives in road crashes across Bangladesh in March alone, which is a staggering average of 20 deaths per day. These numbers are not just cold data, as they represent countless families shattered by preventable tragedies.

According to the report, last month witnessed a reported 587 accidents which claimed 604 lives all the while leaving 1,231 people with severe, life-altering injuries. The report, based on monitoring nine national dailies, seven online news portals, various electronic media outlets, and the foundation’s own sources, highlights a worsening trend, with motorcyclists continuing to be the most vulnerable group.

Despite repeated promises from authorities past and present, our roads remain veritable death traps, plagued by reckless driving, dangerously unfit vehicles, and systemic negligence. If Bangladesh is serious about protecting its citizens, immediate and comprehensive reforms in infrastructure, enforcement, and legal accountability are non-negotiable as Bangladesh’s road infrastructure remains dangerously inadequate, and poorly-designed intersections, lack of pedestrian crossings, and uneven road conditions contribute to the chaos.

Some of the most pressing measures that the interim government must consider are the strict enforcement of traffic laws with a zero tolerance policy over speeding, reckless driving, and regular license checks. Our public transport rules must also be equally overhauled, with large human hauliers having to undergo comprehensive fitness checks and regular dope testing for drivers.

Bangladesh’s road safety issues have been nothing short of a crisis, especially a crisis of governance. The nation witnessed a historic student-led movement back in 2018 seeking safer roads, and while that resulted in the Road Transport Act 2018 being formulated, deaths from road accidents are still a depressingly common phenomena.

The government cannot wait for another tragic headline to act. When it comes to road safety, the time for half-measures has long been over.