Road deaths rise Bangladesh | From driver fatigue to political barriers: what makes roads more dangerous?

Bangladesh has seen a 10% increase in road accidents and deaths so far this year.

According to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, 4,153 people lost their lives in 4,494 road accidents between January and September this year, compared to 4,016 deaths in 3,727 accidents during the same period in 2023.

In October this year alone, Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity recorded 475 deaths out of 452 road accidents nationwide.

Experts called for data-driven interventions and collective action to solve the problem.

MAIN CAUSES OF THE CRISIS

The rise in accidents highlights persistent problems, including unsuitable vehicles, unlicensed drivers, inadequate infrastructure and lax enforcement of safety rules.

Mr. Hadiuzzaman, former director of the Accident Research Institute in Buet, blamed transport owners for ignoring safety standards.

“Many simply operate as businessmen, oblivious to the risks posed by unfit vehicles and unqualified drivers,” he said.

He also criticized the lack of political will to dismantle powerful transport unions that resist reforms.

DRIVER CURRENT AND SALT WORKING CONDITIONS

The transport sector has around 200,000 professional drivers of heavy vehicles, which is below the 300,000 registered buses, trucks, vans and lorries. This shortage often forces operators to assign untrained and unlicensed drivers.

Government guidelines limit driving to five consecutive hours and eight hours a day, but enforcement remains weak. Drivers, motivated by financial pressure, frequently exceed these limits.

“In most cases, we push ourselves to do extra trips to earn a little more, but it comes at a cost. Fatigue sets in and accidents become a real possibility,” said Rafiq Ahmed, a truck driver.

In June 2018, the government proposed building rest areas for drivers and enforcing limits on their working hours.

However, these measures remain largely unimplemented, exacerbating the risks.

POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION

Reforms to improve road safety, such as limiting the lifespan of commercial vehicles to 20 years for buses and 25 years for trucks, have faced resistance from transport associations.

An official from the Ministry of Transport explained how political influence complicates enforcement.

“Local leaders involved in the ruling party manage informal transport, while central leaders dominate buses and trucks,” the official said, seeking anonymity.

Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, general secretary of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, criticized the previous government for not improving the transport sector.

He warned that the current administration must act decisively to deal with rising accidents or face public backlash.

He called for the formation of a Transport Sector Reform Commission involving all stakeholders to address the crisis.

TECHNOLOGY AND REFORM

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency recently launched the Road Accident Database and Analysis application under the Dhaka Road Traffic Safety Project.

“The app provides real-time accident analysis and helps identify high-risk areas, allowing us to address the root causes,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Khondoker Nazmul Hasan.

He stressed the need for joint efforts by vehicle owners, drivers and government agencies to improve safety.

Prof. Transport expert Shamsul Hoque said previous investments in the sector had failed to improve safety.

“The sector is controlled by a vicious circle of transport leaders, police and politicians,” he said.

He emphasized, however, that the interim government has the possibility to restore order.

“With influential transport leaders on the run and major changes in police administration, there is a unique opportunity to enforce discipline,” he added.