The High Court on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to take steps to implement dope and vision tests for drivers before issuing them licences.
The court also ordered the government to implement the Road Transport Act 2018 within six months, to reduce incidents of reckless driving and road accidents around the country.
The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam issued the orders while delivering the judgment on compensation for the family of deceased Government Titumir College student Rajib Hossain.
Rajib had lost a hand after getting caught between two speeding buses at Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar intersection on April 3. He died from his injuries on April 17.
The court on Thursday issued a total of seven directives to ensure the safety of passengers.
The three directives to be implemented in three months are:
Doors of public buses should only be opened when picking up passengers, and not while the buses are on the move
Random dope tests for drivers of public buses
Vehicles cannot blow horns near schools, hospitals, residential and restricted areas, with exceptions for ambulances and Fire Service vehicles
The four directives to be implemented in six months are:
Dope and vision tests for drivers before issuing them with driving licences
Installation of CCTV cameras throughout Dhaka
Operation of all public buses under a franchise to reduce competition among drivers
Implementation of the Road Transport Act 2018
A Brac study, released in May, had revealed that around 50% of transport workers in Bangladesh suffer from eyesight problems.
Under the survey, tests were conducted on 1,200 transport workers at an eye camp. Of them, over 700 were drivers and assistants.
The study said some 94% of the workers, who are suffering from eyesight issues, are aware of their condition.
