Recurrent road tragedies must stop

It is deeply distressing that every occasion of Eid, which is meant to be a time of reunion and celebration with families, continues to be overshadowed by reports of mass casualties on our roads. This year’s Eid-ul-Fitr was no exception. According to the Road Safety Foundation, at least 274 people were killed and over 1,500 injured in 342 road crashes across the country between March 16 and 26. Among the deadliest incidents was the one in Rajbari’s Daulatdia, where a bus fell into the Padma River while waiting to board a ferry, leaving at least 26 dead and several others missing. In another tragedy, 12 people were killed in Cumilla when a train rammed into a bus at a level crossing. Many crashes during the Eid holidays have shattered families. The recurrence of these tragedies, year after year, is a stark reminder of how fundamentally flawed our transport system is.

Reportedly, both the number of accidents and fatalities have increased this year compared to last year. Despite repeated warnings from experts, it appears that the authorities have learnt little. The same causes—reckless driving, unfit vehicles, poor road management, and weak coordination among relevant authorities—continue to be major factors behind these crashes. Even basic safeguards such as enforcing speed limits or ensuring vehicle fitness tend to break down during the rush of Eid travel. The question is: how much longer will it take the authorities to address the systemic flaws that make our roads so dangerous? When will the long-overdue reforms in the transport sector be implemented? And when will the state learn to value the lives that are lost on our roads, railways and waterways due to poor enforcement of the existing laws?

Unfortunately, our transport authorities continue to rely on ad hoc, short-term measures instead of implementing a long-term, comprehensive road safety strategy. As the Road Transport Act, 2018 remains largely unimplemented, holding those responsible for these road mishaps accountable becomes difficult. Transport experts have also pointed out that investigation reports into major accidents are rarely made public, and their recommendations are seldom implemented. This culture of impunity allows negligence to persist. If transport owners, drivers, and even regulatory bodies continue to face no consequences for their failures, little will change in the sector.

To ensure safe roads and prevent further loss of lives, the government must urgently reform the road transport sector. Strict enforcement of traffic laws must go hand in hand with the immediate removal of unfit and expired vehicles from the roads. At the same time, clear and enforceable policies on drivers’ working hours and mandatory rest periods are essential. Road engineering flaws must also be identified and corrected to improve overall safety. Increasing highway police capacity is important, particularly during Eid holidays. Above all, better planning and coordination among transport authorities, engineers, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers are essential. Finally, conducting proper investigations into road crashes and taking firm action against those responsible is crucial to ensuring transparency and accountability in the sector.