BSS-37 Awareness, enforcement of laws can ensure safe roads: Speakers

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ZCZC

BSS-37

ROUNDTABLE-ROAD-SAFETY

Awareness, enforcement of laws can ensure safe roads: Speakers

DHAKA, Sept 30, 2018 (BSS) – Creation of mass awareness, ensuring of political will and enforcement of laws are the pre-requisites to ensure safe roads, said participants at a roundtable here today.

They also suggested installation of closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) at important points on roads and highways, formation of four transport-regulating companies initially to avert unhealthy competition of transport workers, introduction of separate lanes for slow-moving vehicles and imparting training to transport workers on traffic rules.

They were taking part in the roundtable on “Road Safety in Bangladesh: Causes and Remedies” at Dhaka Tribune Conference Hall here.

The participants opined for adopting a coordinated approach ensuring spontaneous participation of social, political, cultural and voluntary organizations along with the government to prevent road mishaps.

Democracy International, USAID and UKAID with the support of Dhaka Tribune organized the discussion where politicians, representatives of government and non-governmental organizations, transport owners, civil society members and media people were present.

Speaking on the occasion, State minister for Rural Development and Co-operatives Division Md Mashiur Rahaman Ranga said the present government is trying to implement its Safety Strategic Transport Plan 2015-2035 to make the transport system a planned, modern and coordinated pathway.

“Under this plan, one lakh drivers are being imparted training while the work on setting up drivers’ training and vehicle inspection centers district towns is on,” he mentioned.

The state minister, also a leader of transport owners, stressed on taking a pragmatic step to prevent the street accidents with all-out support from social, political, cultural and voluntary organizations.

Ranga, a Jatiya Party leader, also said the road safety issue should be included in the election manifestoes of the political parties.

Chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai Movement and actor Ilias Kanchan said, “Road accidents are a matter of great concern in Bangladesh but it’s not beyond resolution.”

“Political will and necessary policy formulation at the government level are a must in this connection,” he said adding that the road safety issue must be included in the curriculums as well.

Project director of the Strengthening Political Landscape (SPL) programme in Bangladesh Lilipaka Biswas presided over the conference.

Architect Mobasser Hossain, Dhaka Tribune editor Zafar Sobhan, SPL representative Ketty Croke, Bangladesh Road and Transport Authority (BRTA) director Mahabub-e-Rabbani, among others, took part in the discussion.

BSS/SIR/KU/1934 HRS