Road accident is a national problem and it cannot be curbed without educating and training the drivers, opined noted film artist Ilias Kanchan, also the Chairman of Nirapad Sharak Chai (We Demand Safe Road), an organisation advocating for safer roads.
He was addressing a press conference to mark the 21st anniversary of the organisation at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium yesterday.
In a written speech Ilias Kanchan said: “The government has already implemented some of our proposals to stop road accidents, but it is not enough.”
He urged the government to take various steps including setting up trauma centres beside all major highways so that injured people can get treatment immediately, and establishing driving and mechanical training institute in 64 districts.
“The government has approved Tk20 crore for building driving and mechanical institute in every district, but we are yet to get this money,” Ilias Kanchan alleged.
Earlier, Nirapad Sharak Chai observed October 22 as National Road Safety Day and urged the government to propose the UN for declaring October 22 as International Road Safety Day.
The actor turned activist Ilias Kanchan launched the Nirapad Sharak Chai movement in late 1993 after he lost his wife in a road. The organisation has over 80 branches across the country.
