Families should celebrate, not mourn—Ahsania Mission’s call for safe Eid journey

Dhaka : Road crashes continue to claim lives across the country every day. According to information released by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, 132 people were killed and 208 injured in 110 road crushes over a span of 8 days. Similarly, BRTA reports that during the last Eid-ul-Azha, 215 people were killed and 278 injured in 216 road crashes over 12 days. Despite numerous measures taken to prevent road crashes in the country, the rate of crushes remains alarmingly high. Therefore, for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Dhaka Ahsania Mission has put forward 9 recommendations to prevent road crashes, according to a press release.

During an event titled “The Role of Media in Strengthening Road Safety” organized by the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission in Shyamoli, Dhaka, the organization’s Director, Iqbal Masud, presented these 9 recommendations, including the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Road Safety Law.

The recommendations are as follows:

1. To prevent road crashes, especially during major festivals like Eid, safe speed limits must be set and strictly followed at all times. Additionally, a guideline on speed limit management must be formulated urgently.
2. The working hours of drivers must be regulated and enforced to ensure they receive adequate rest.
3. During Eid journey, the movement of battery-operated vehicles such as Nosimon, Korimon, Tempo, and Bhutbhuti should be restricted on important roads and highways. Furthermore, separate lanes must be designated for slow-moving and fast-moving vehicles on other roads.
4. Measures must be taken to ensure pedestrian safety along with transport safety. This includes clearing footpaths of vendors, encouraging the use of sidewalks and foot-over bridges, discouraging mobile phone use while crossing roads, and raising awareness about using zebra crossings.
5. During Eid Journey, both motorcycle riders and passengers must be required to wear quality helmets. Dedicated lanes for motorcycles should be established on major roads and highways. Additionally, an enforcement guideline should be developed to ensure the use of standard helmets.
6. Outdated public transport and vehicles without fitness certification must be removed from the roads.
7. Laws prohibiting driving under the influence of intoxicating substances must be enforced.
8. A guideline must be developed to ensure the use of seatbelts by both drivers and passengers. Moreover, for vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and microbuses, regulations should be introduced to provide appropriate child safety seats considering children’s safety.
9. Lastly, to reduce road crushes and achieve relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a National Road Safety Authority should be established to ensure effective coordination among road safety enforcement agencies.

At the event, Iqbal Masud further informed – The Road Transport Act of 2018 was expected to prioritize road safety, but that did not happen. What we truly need is a dedicated Road Safety Law that gives equal importance to the safety of everyone, including transport operators, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.