The tragic deaths of renowned filmmaker Tareque Masud and cinematographer Mishuk Munier once again brings to the forefront an issue that has plagued Bangladesh for many years: road safety. Road accidents are the 5th leading cause of death among children between the ages of 10 and 14 (UNICEF Bangladesh, 2008). We were brutally reminded of this fact last July, when 43 school children died in a bus accident in Chittagong. It is important that we take heed of the lessons from these unfortunate and unnecessary casualties and act now to ensure that this crisis does not escalate any further.
As an active member of the UN, Bangladesh has declared solidarity with the Global Road Safety Plan launched by the UN in May 2011, under its “Decade of Action for Road Safety” campaign. This timely commitment calls attention to several aspects of road safety which need be strengthened.
In order to ease driver frustration and improve road conditions, all interlocking components must be examined: engineering (infrastructures with safety measures), enforcement, education and awareness on road safety and environment (road side hazards e.g. trees, shops etc.).
The condition of the roads themselves is a primary concern - most roads and highways are in a dilapidated condition, full of potholes and ditches that require constant maintenance. The Bangladesh government recently ordered reparation of highways within the timeline of 10-days before Eid-ul-Fitr, though it may not be possible to completely fix the infrastructure within that period.
Where supervision is concerned, the highway police play a limited role, thus contributing to badly managed intersections. More trained personnel are required to effectively direct traffic flow. These personnel should also be equipped to act as first responders and provide emergency trauma care in case of accidents.
Even in the presence of highway or traffic police, vehicle operators continue to disrespect to traffic rules. Here, awareness and education can play an important role in improving the situation. Proper traffic signs and road markings should be provided and the symbol system communicated effectively to all vehicle operators.
An overwhelming number of vehicles are crowding the narrow urban roads. Special attention needs to be given to recognized accident-prone areas. Most of these are located on national highways, which would greatly benefit from being widened to four-lanes and the addition of brick divider to reduce head on collisions.
Road accident poses the greatest risk to the most vulnerable road users. BRAC has therefore been working to spread awareness on road safety since 2001. Target groups include: pedestrians, drivers of both non-motorized and motorized vehicles, passengers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, students and police. Working alongside international campaign bodies, BRAC hopes to further strengthen its initiatives through policy advocacy.
BRAC recommends and wishes to take action in the following areas:
- Policy advocacy with government agencies to become proactive in maintaining roads; increase and maximize usage of allocated funds for road safety and reformulate the policy if needed; increase the political will to enforce strict law and accountability. Monitoring and follow-up is key to successful implementation.
- Work to build capacity of drivers, authority members and traffic administration to reflect successful changes for improvement.
There is regrettably little compliance of the laws regarding road safety in Bangladesh, where the outdated 1983 Motor Vehicle Ordinance remains insufficient. In keeping the education and awareness component strong, BRAC is keen on the driver training programme which would help to produce new drivers with greater knowledge on road safety and road rules. This program would also work to benefit in-service drivers by enhancing their driving skills (defensive and advance driving). Furthermore, national road safety workshops and films help to spread road safety lessons to larger audiences.
Concern with road safety is not a new issue, but one that requires our immediate attention. With international recognition given to reckless driving there is hope that the situation for vulnerable road users will improve through allocated funds and corrective measures. Furthermore it is encouraged that more authoritative action be taken by the BRTA in favor of the government. Only recently has the media begun to shed light on this grave concern – nothing more can be said about what should have been done, but instead, realize the severity and to focus clearly on how to prevent future casualties.
-- Nadia Haider is a research intern at BRAC, with special focus on Road Safety in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is pursuing her Bachelors degree in Political Science at the University of Toronto, Canada.
This is absolutely ridiculous! This was basically civil aviation property that was illegally acquired by the BAF over the years especially during the periods of despotic regimes of Zia and Ershad.
ReplyDeleteThis piece of invaluable land should be immediately returned back to the civilian authorities and immediately put to public use.
BAF should train their pilots in the airports spread all over Bangladesh except Dhaka. Their flight path over the old Tejgaon airport exposes the public to harm's way in case of flight crashes in residential places.
In an already chaotic traffic situation that is tormenting the common people and the blame being put on the government unfairly the metrorail system is more important than a flying strip for BAF in the middle of Dhaka.
Additionally the Dhaka cantonment Roads should be opened to public transport immediately and the Dhaka cantonment relocated to another city if they refuse to do so.
No where in the world you will find a cantonment in the middle of a capital creating havoc for public commuters by restricting free movement of traffic through them.
Since we have a democratic government I would ask this government to side with the people and shut up the BAF from encroaching public property. This enormous piece of civilian property should be also made a well planned recreation centre for the city dwellers and their claustrophobic children.
The donors should also refuse to pay a dime if the metrorail course is made to bend at too many intersections due to the arrogance of the blockheads.