Road accidents in Bangladesh have become alarmingly routine, claiming lives with tragic regularity. Whether on bustling highways or quiet rural roads, reckless driving, inadequate infrastructure, and lax enforcement have combined to create an environment where fatal crashes are not exceptions but expectations.
The recent accident in Pabna’s Ishwardi upazila -- which claimed the lives of a mother, her child, and a local vendor -- is yet another stark reminder that urgent intervention is overdue.
It is deeply disturbing how rampant speeding remains in Bangladesh, as commercial vehicles operate without proper inspections and traffic laws exist as mere suggestions rather than mandates. Exactly how often have we seen such fatal incidents? How many more must perish before authorities wake up to the urgent need not just for strict enforcement and deterrent punishments but also the many infrastructural frailties which lead to such death and destruction?
Yes, while enforcement of traffic laws is crucial, poor road conditions significantly amplify risk. Bangladesh’s highways, particularly outside major metropolitan areas, are uneven, poorly marked, and riddled with hazards as pedestrians lack adequate crossings, traffic signals are either malfunctioning or ignored, and truck stops appear haphazardly along key routes.
If Bangladesh is to meaningfully reduce fatalities, there must be long-term investment in road redesign and maintenance. Our roads must be widened and separated into dedicated lanes for smaller vehicles, pedestrians, and high-speed transport. Smart traffic signals, proper lighting, and well-enforced speed limits would prevent catastrophic collisions.
The loss of life on our roads is avoidable, but only if stakeholders -- lawmakers, law enforcers, urban planners, and transport authorities -- work together. As Bangladesh positions itself as a rising economy, it cannot afford to let road safety remain a neglected issue. This is not just about vehicles, it is about human lives, public trust, and a nation’s duty to protect its citizens.
