The deadly highways

The loss of valuable human lives in road crashes is not only tragic but also unacceptable. In this column we have written umpteen times on the alarming number of road accidents, particularly on highways, in the country. Still there is no significant improvement in this regard. Recently, eight people, including a five-year old girl, were killed and 35 others injured in road crashes in four separate incidents in one single day.

According to Bangladesh Passengers' Welfare Association, at least 8,642 people were killed and 21,855 injured in road accidents across Bangladesh last year. A WHO report identified road crash as the leading cause of death for people aged 15-29 in the country. Deaths of so many economically active people place a huge burden on the victims' families and the national economy as well.

Though road accidents are rampant in Bangladesh actions needed to make the roads safer do not seem to be adequate. On the infrastructural side, the maintenance, repair and expansion of roads coupled with setting up dividers on national highways, cautioning signals for hazardous locations are needed to be in place. The highway traffic system also needs to be strengthened. It has a crucial role to play in identifying and holding accountable reckless driving, speeding, overloaded and unfit vehicles. There should be exemplary punishment for violating traffic laws. Disseminating information on road safety to masses through media and training on safe driving are some other main areas that need to be worked on rigorously by the government to prevent road crashes.