Road crash deaths and public reaction

We cannot agree entirely with the view that road accidents and the resultant deaths do not elicit enough public reaction. Such a view was expressed at a seminar organised by National Unity for Prevention of Road Accidents on Saturday. The instant reaction of the public is demonstrated after every such accident that cost more than a dozen lives daily. And the public vents its anger by blocking roads or damaging vehicles, because of the repetitive manner of these accidents, and the apparent impunity of the errant drivers. It is true though that the civil society is seen to be more voluble when the unfortunate victim or victims happen to be influential person/s. 

The issue of road accidents and prevention cannot be over emphasised. While public awareness is an essential part of the exercise to reduce road accidents, we feel that the other two stakeholders -- the law enforcing agencies and the private bus owners and drivers, have an equally, if not more, important role in this regard. 

When one talks of giving driving license only to trained persons it becomes the responsibility of the owners on the one hand to see that only qualified persons are employed as drivers, and the responsibility of the police on the other, to ensure that fit and competent persons only are allowed to take the wheels of a vehicle. And here not only the awareness of the public but the awareness of the employers and owners should also be honed.  

Road accidents in Bangladesh cause more deaths in Bangladesh than any other natural calamity. And yet we seem to be totally unconcerned.