Is there no one to control reckless bikers?

Road accidents are an all-too-common and tragic occurrence in Bangladesh, earning the country the infamy of being one of the world's most accident-prone nations. The frequency of road accidents in Bangladesh has reached alarming levels, posing significant challenges to public safety. Factors such as reckless driving, inadequate road maintenance, insufficient traffic enforcement, and a lack of awareness about road safety are responsible for the high incidence of accidents. In recent years, the situation has exacerbated due to reckless bikers.
Recently, motorcycle-related fatalities have increased, with 2,532 motorcycle accidents occurring in 2023 resulting in 2,487 deaths and 1,943 injuries. Among the casualties, 75.39 per cent were aged between 14 and 45, 22.59 per cent involved in collisions with other vehicles, 35.70 per cent were due to loss of control, and 40.48 per cent were caused by collisions with heavy vehicles or other factors.
Compared to the previous year, the rate of road accident has increased by 1.2 per cent in 2023. On an average, 18 people die each day in motorcycle accidents. Analysts attribute these accidents to various factors, particularly reckless behaviour among youths. Issues such as gang culture, drug abuse, depression, anxiety, and a lack of family support lead youths to drive motorbikes recklessly and face accidents regularly.
Therefore, we as a nation should focus on creating awareness about responsible driving behaviour to prevent such tragic accidents. Promoting a healthy mindset is also crucial. Despite road expansions to two or four lanes, accidents persist due to insufficient laws and awareness. Strict enforcement of the Roads and Transport Act 2018, along with reduction of road congestion through railway and waterway reforms, is essential. Failure to do so will fail to improve traffic movement on roads and highways.

Muntasir Rahman,
Student
East West University