Road accidents cause over 3000 casualties a year

Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf speaks at a seminar at the Institution of Engineers' auditorium yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

They said human casualties, medical costs and consequent sufferings of the victims' families hinder the growth of national economy.

The seminar titled 'Defensive Driving' was organised by Hertz Rent a Car at the Institution of Engineers' auditorium in the city to raise consciousness among the drivers who play the key role in making a journey safe.

The speakers said on an average more than three thousand casualties including deaths and injuries of various degrees take place every year in the country.

They said three O-s representing overspeeding, overtaking and overloading are the primary reasons for road accidents.

To avoid these accidents three E-s representing engineering of the roads, dividers and technical soundness of the vehicle, education of the drivers as well as pedestrians' knowledge of traffic rules and regulation and enforcement of existing laws are a must, they added.

The speakers said sound physical and mental health of the drivers should also be taken into account to minimise the accidents.

Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yousuf, minister for disaster management and relief, said through proper motivation of the drivers accident rate can be reduced to the minimum. To that end more workshop and training of the drivers are essential, he added.

BRTC chairman Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker emphasised concerted efforts by government and private sectors, including the civil society initiatives, to reduce accidents.

M Haideruzzaman, chairman of Hertz, said by following some simple driving principles the Hertz drivers could avoid many major accidents in last seven years.

Manager of Hertz Jahangir Alam, Shahjahan Khan MP, Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman and secretary to establishment ministry also spoke.