Eid is meant to be a happy time, but for some families, the holiday season brings tragedy.
Our roads and highways continue to be death traps, and this Eid has served as a grim reminder of just how bad things can get in this time, with more irresponsible drivers on local roads, coupled with the mad rush on the highways.
According to research conducted by the Accident Research Institute at BUET, during the Eid holidays, the number of accidents doubles, with other surveys painting an even grimmer scenario.
This goes to show to what extent our nation’s entire highway and traffic systems need an overhaul, and how, at the end of the day, implementation of traffic rules and regulations will remain key to ensuring safe travels for Bangladeshis across the nation.
It is, of course, no surprise to learn that buses remain the main culprits behind most of these accidents.
The situation is worsened by a system that takes advantage of customer demand, which skyrockets during the Eid rush, with transport companies sometimes taking the competition out on the roads to make as much money as possible.
Drivers, especially but not exclusively bus drivers, must be monitored to ensure that they have proper driving licenses, and when laws are broken, police and authorities must not let offending drivers get away with impunity.
Hundreds of people lose their lives every month, and most of these fatalities are entirely preventable. This apathy on part of the authorities must change, and improving the transportation condition of Bangladeshi roads must be made a priority.
