Editorial
BRTA licensing irregularities
These must cease for road safety
In a report submitted to the High Court, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) stated that out of the 2.35 lakh drivers of heavy transport vehicles (HTV), 1.89 lakh did not qualify through the proper testing procedures. It was said that they were issued licenses on "relaxed conditions". These drivers therefore are not qualified drivers according to the BRTA rules.
In 2009 alone, up to 10,000 diving licenses for HTVs mostly were issued in breach of law. In effect, road safety has been ignored and the incidence of accidents increased.
Due to the very high number of road accidents and irregularities on the road, the concerned authorities such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police have submitted reports to ensure higher degrees of safety on the roads. Hopefully, they will be seized with their own roles in ensuring road safety through the detection of false licenses and proceeding legally against them.
Surprisingly, the BRTA has requested the High Court to not cancel the licenses issued previously under relaxed conditions stating that road communications contribute a great deal to passenger transport and the transportation of goods. Does it mean we gloss over the risk of accidents?
The BRTA has evidently failed in ensuring the fitness of vehicles and the competence of their drivers. To our knowledge, it is under-staffed and is unable to cope with the high demands of new licenses. This can be a probable cause for the corruption which has resulted. The government should address its capacity building in earnest.
The BRTA needs to urgently improve its standards and training facilities. We should encourage the setting up of training facilities through bank financing in the private sector. It is clear that stringent rules must apply and be respected and the BRTA and law enforcement people must play mutually reinforcing roles to ensure road safety and security.
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