A multi-stakeholder group, working for the cause of safe road, on Sunday made several recommendations to the draft Transport Bill 2018 in order to cover every possible aspect and eliminate legal loopholes, according to a press release.
During a press conference, organised by Safe Road and Transport Alliance (SROTA) - the alliance of road safety experts and activists in the city, the stakeholders strongly advised on including key aspects of the Motor Vehicles Ordnance 1983, such as checking medical eligibility of drivers, more rigorous driving tests for obtaining licenses and such in the new bill, reports UNB.
Other aspects such as the role of transport owners in ensuring sound drivers and conductors for public transports, better traffic management, keeping medical first aid kits in all vehicles and designing public transports to accommodate women, children and handicapped people were also advised to be added in the bill.
Provisions for clarifying technical jargons, receiving and disposing of spot complaints, a road safety fund and many more were also advised to be kept in the legal framework.
In addition, the issue of modernising of specialised investigation regarding accidents was also raised, as well as setting up of a compensation tribunal.
Setting up of multiple transport committees including distinguished stakeholders and nationwide road safety committees have also been added to the recommendations.
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, a former adviser to a caretaker government and the Convener of SROTA, shared the recommendations.
Chairperson of Nirapod Sharak Chai, Illias Kanchon, Columnist Syed Abul Moksud, BUET Professor Shamsul Huq, Barrister Sara Hossain, and secretary general of Bangladesh Passengers' Welfare Association Md. Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury also spoke during the occasion.
SROTA has long been advocating for responsible and people-friendly road governance in Bangladesh.
