Speakers during a webinar emphasised extensive work on road safety issues in Dhaka city that experiences 75 per cent of the crashes taking place in cities.
As 70-per cent victims are pedestrians and aged between 18 and 45, an integrated policy under the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) is vital to find an inclusive solution.
The seminar styled 'Road safety problems in Dhaka city: Roles and initiatives of DTCA' was hosted at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
Road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader attended the event chaired by DTCA executive director Khandakar Rakibur Rahman.
DTCA, Accident Research Institute (ARI) and BUET co-hosted the seminar attended by road transport and highways division secretary Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation chairman Prof Mohammad Shamsul Hoque and BUET deputy vice-chancellor Dr Abdul Jabbar Khan.
Roads and highways department chief engineer, architect Iqbal Habib, transport expert Dr Salauddin, Iliyas Kanchan of Nirapad Sarak Chai and Romesh Chandra Ghosh of Shyamoli Paribahan also joined and spoke.
Other attendees include representatives from different agencies like Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), transport stakeholders and educational institutions.
ARI director Dr Mohammad Hadiuzzaman presented a keynote highlighting that one-forth accidents here occur in cities and DMP's share is around 74 per cent.
Citing road accident as the eighth leading death cause in the country, he said, many mayhems are still unreported for misleading information to policy-makers.
According to an FIR database of police, 3,000 crashes cause 2,700 fatalities and 2,400 injuries on average, the keynoter stated.
Dr Hadiuzzaman called for identifying hazardous roads, locations, intersections and increased the capacity of DTCA on road safety management and capacity-building.
Addressing the programme, Mr Quader directed all concerned to accelerate the process of executing the Road Transport Act to ensure road safety.
Though the government has adopted multiple measures and developed good road infrastructure, accidents could not be reduced, he said blaming a lack of consciousness of street users, among other causes.
The Awami League secretary suggested the BUET initiate to develop expertise in line with the mega projects being implemented with foreign consultants.
But the minister refused the DTCA's move to expand its working area and said it must work within city areas.
Secretary Mr Islam asked the DTCA to work along with other agencies to ensure road safety in Dhaka city.
Architect Habib laid importance on expanding DTCA's role in wider area covering road, rail and water as well as noticing buildings that hinder transport movement.
It is the DTCA's duty to ensure mobility of people and play the role of an auditor and implementer of sustainable development goals.
Headmaster Dr Idris Ali called for involving physical teachers and scout teachers to teach students traffic rules.
At the event, Mr Ghosh laid stress on engaging information ministry with the DTCA to display short films on road safety issues at strategic points.
At the end, DTCA executive director, however, said the DTCA board is equipped with heads of all agencies concerned, including transport owners and workers.
He laid importance on attending all board meetings regularly for ensuring coordination and integration of all transport-related decisions and projects.
smunima@yahoo.com
