NUMBER of road accidents has reached an alarming level. During the Eid holidays more than 250 people died and around 1000 were injured in road accidents. Reckless driving has been rightly identified as the main cause behind increasing number of accidents on roads and highways. Drivers of public transport, particularly the bus drivers, look like they are racing for some Formula One competition ignoring the lives and safety of their passengers. During the Eid holidays, the home bound passengers put their life at risk when they start for their village homes to celebrate Eid with nead and dear ones. The drivers often indulge in competition to overtake one another and in doing so they drive recklessly ignoring poor road condition. Unfit vehicle is another reason for the growing number of accidents. There are some other minor reasons too and it is not very difficult to address these issues. All that is required is enforcement of existing laws to bring back discipline in the transport sector. Every year we lose lives and properties in road accidents and the authorities concerned need to pull their socks and tighten their shoes to bring people responsible for violation of law under justice, irrespective personal identity or political affiliation. We must be united to create a social movement to make our roads safe and secure.
Mohammed Fahim
Moghbazar, Dhaka
