The tragic death of ten people in a terrible accident near Dhaka on February 26 was yet another proof of the anarchic situation prevailing in the country's highways. It occurred on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway in Sonargaon not far from Dhaka. The accident bore all the normal, yet troubling, features of the country's road accidents. It involved a long-haul bus with a reckless driver at the wheel. Apart from being arrogant in his behaviour, he behaved in shocking disregard for the passengers', and also his, safety. He was talking continuously on his mobile phone. Earlier, he hit a rickshaw. Later, in an attempt to flee the wrath of the people at the scene, he barged into a covered van parked beside the road. It was a deadly crash, leaving the bus mangled beyond recognition. Ten deaths and several injuries followed.
In spite of the common features, there was a great difference. The road was a major highway. But the situation prevailing during the mishap could not distinguish it from a normal busy road. Like the other highways in the country, it was also found filled with non-mechanised and low-speed vehicles. These transports are prohibited from the highways. Vehicles parked at roadsides were also there. In combination, all these catalysts helped in the occurrence of the deadly accident. It's time that at least the country's highways were made free of lawlessness and thus of the ever-looming deaths and injuries.
Arrangements of adequate patrol by well-equipped highway police can go a long way towards this goal.
Morshed Hassan
Tejkunipara, Dhaka
Highway anarchy
FE Team | Published: March 03, 2018 19:54:26
Highway anarchy
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