Editorial
Death of eight school children
It's murder plain and simple
HOW long will this mayhem on the road by irresponsible and rash drivers continue? This time lives of eight school children were cut short when the van they were traveling home in after school was hit by a truck near Natherpetua Bazaar on Comilla Noakhali highway in Monoharganz Upazilla. According to reports, the truck appeared almost out of the blue as it was traveling on the wrong side of the road when it hit the school van. And as often is the case, both the helper and the driver managed to escape while the killer truck was torched by angry people.
There is very little that we can do to console the bereaved families. It is a loss that neither words nor any other thing, can recompense. And we can call upon the government and the relevant the authorities, as we have done before, to take measures so that such accidents do not recur. It was not very long ago that 53 school students were killed when their truck overturned near Sitakund.
Apparently, it was a case of the driver not observing the rules. And he is not an exception but the rule. Trucks and buses cutting corners and adopting the wrong side of the road to avoid taking a short detour has become a common sight on highways. And ever so often we see flag vehicles under police escort taking the opposite lane to avoid long tailbacks in complete disregard for traffic rules and road safety.
As usual, a case well be registered and the drivers will abscond, or assume a false name and get a new license using the corrupted system, and start driving again to cause more accidents and kill more innocent people. Unless the regime of impunity is removed and the harshest punishment awarded to these killers in speedy trial courts, we are afraid we will continue to suffer such losses.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments