Death on the streets again

Buses on Dhaka streets are in a constant vicious race to grab as many passengers as they can, often leading to lethal and tragic consequences. Even after the death of Rajib who had lost his hand when two buses tried to overtake each other, the accidents continue unabated 

A similar accident snatched away another two lives at the Kurmitola flyover in Dhaka on Sunday where more than nine others were injured.

The students of Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and College had been waiting for a bus along with others. A bus lost control while overtaking another and ran over the students. Two of them died on the spot.

That is nothing uncommon and this can hardly be called an accident since such deliberate actions lead to tragic consequences. Such incidents would never occur if the buses did not try to rashly overtake each other.

Any death is painful, but such deaths are difficult to accept. Two college students of 16 and 17 years had their entire lives ahead of them, yet they lost their lives so early.

They were studying in college, dreaming of a bright future.

The father of one of the deceased, class XI student Dia Khanam, himself is a bus driver. He was was educating his children with his income from driving long-route buses.

Most of the accidents in the streets of Dhaka city occur due to the competition among buses to pick up passengers. This has become a common trend.

The buses and minibuses in the city are all dented and scarred due to such reckless driving.

It there was minimal discipline in the traffic, such incidents would never happen in the capital city of a civilised country.

The buses race recklessly and compete with each other in from of the traffic police. The drivers could never do this if the officers carried out their responsiblity properly.

Dia’s father, Jahangir Alam, shared his experience of driving for 30 years. His story deserves due consideration.

Jahangir said, new bus companies are often launched with political or other influence.

Bus owners recruit their friends and relatives as drivers without checking their competence.

Most of these drivers either drink or are on drugs while driving.

This is true of a large number of bus and truck drivers all over the country.

Besides, there are drivers with fake driving licenses. Most of them were assistants to other drivers and have no professional training. It is imperative to stop these drivers as most of the accidents occur due to them.

The authorities must launch an extensive drive against fake driving licences. 

The casualties due to road accidents in Dhaka city are related to overall traffic management. The accidents cannot be stopped without discipline in the sector.

It is high time to take all-out steps to stop the reckless bus driving on roads.

The authorities must ensure specific bus stops. They also must ensure that pedestrians use underpasses, zebra-crossings and flyovers to cross the streets.