Menacing road accidents
Saturday, 11 October 2008
ROAD accidents are a menace. Such accidents seem to have increased during the time of festivals, specially the two Eids. According to the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), 3794 people were killed in road mishaps in 2007 (until November) but BUET's Accident Research Institute says that about 60 to 70 per cent of the accidents go unreported! It was also reported that in two and a half years, the NRSC has not held a meeting, that is, from the time it was formed, whereas they are supposed to sit at least every three months.
The fact of the matter is, transport drivers are a chevalier lot. I travel regularly to Manikganj, Chittagong and Bogra. For the Manikganj trip I use the BRTC bus which is fairly good but once on the road, and this is supposedly one of the most dangerous highway-the Dhaka Aricha Shorok-I have my heart in my mouth for most of the trip. The thing is our driver may be careful, although he is not exactly driving us in slow motion, but how careful can you be if there are madmen coming from the other side? For the trip to and from Manikganj (and beyond because I get down at Tepra) one is faced with the oncoming traffic, either those coming from the Aricha Ferry (or Paturia) when we are going towards Manikganj or facing the rushing traffic towards the ferry when one is returning home. Only those who make frequent trips are less nervous than those of us who do it once a month or so. The two hours pass at a harrowing pace.
The question is, there is a speed limit for everyone specially the bus drivers, but who obeys them? The answer is, no one or, at least, very few.
Will the authorities take a look into the mater so that life and limb of the passengers are spared?
Abdul Halim
Dhaka University, Dhaka
The fact of the matter is, transport drivers are a chevalier lot. I travel regularly to Manikganj, Chittagong and Bogra. For the Manikganj trip I use the BRTC bus which is fairly good but once on the road, and this is supposedly one of the most dangerous highway-the Dhaka Aricha Shorok-I have my heart in my mouth for most of the trip. The thing is our driver may be careful, although he is not exactly driving us in slow motion, but how careful can you be if there are madmen coming from the other side? For the trip to and from Manikganj (and beyond because I get down at Tepra) one is faced with the oncoming traffic, either those coming from the Aricha Ferry (or Paturia) when we are going towards Manikganj or facing the rushing traffic towards the ferry when one is returning home. Only those who make frequent trips are less nervous than those of us who do it once a month or so. The two hours pass at a harrowing pace.
The question is, there is a speed limit for everyone specially the bus drivers, but who obeys them? The answer is, no one or, at least, very few.
Will the authorities take a look into the mater so that life and limb of the passengers are spared?
Abdul Halim
Dhaka University, Dhaka