Dhaka/

Drivers are not solely responsible for road accidents. Besides drivers, the government, law enforcement agencies, engineers, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), bus owners, pedestrians—all are responsible for road accidents.

In a round table discussion titled ‘How much is the responsibility of the driver in a road accident?
Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation organized this discussion at the National Press Club on Sunday afternoon.

Shajahan Khan, president of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, believes that it is not possible to reduce road accidents to zero, but it is possible to reduce them. He said BRTA is responsible for road accidents. Even the government cannot avoid the responsibility of road accidents. Where is the manpower? Who will give the police manpower? How many traffic police are needed in Dhaka city, and how many are there?

Pointing out that the owners and workers cannot avoid responsibility, Shajahan Khan said, ‘We who are leading, how aware are we of the drivers and workers? And pedestrians and passengers are also responsible.

BRTA Chairman Noor Mohammad Majumdar said, “People think that the driver is responsible only when there is a road accident, and BRTA is responsible for all the road networks in the country.” There are many participants here, they do not bring to mind. In fact, we should move away from here.

Noor Mohammad said, ’80 percent of the work of giving car license has been done digitally. Its purpose is to reduce corruption. Still unable to reduce broker output. Because the driver can’t miss a day’s work. He caught the broker. And the rich have no shortage of money. They also caught brokers.

Additional Inspector General of Highway Police. Shahabuddin Khan said, “The responsibility of the driver in the road accident is much.” If we can make the driver responsible, sensitize the driver, make the driver feel the reality, then safety will increase.’

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) accident research institute professor Mahbubur Rahman Talukder said, ‘Road transport law needs to be reformed. Those who investigate the incident after the accident are also involved in the incident. DC investigates, but he remains involved in law enforcement. Again, the police are also in the investigation, but they are also involved in it. People who are not involved in the accident and who are experts in the matter should be hired to investigate the road accident.’

Kazi Saifun Newaz, assistant professor of Accident Research Institute of BUET, said, “In the case studies (accident research) we have done, it has been seen that there are many other factors that cause accidents, not just the driver. Accidents cannot be reduced if they cannot be identified.

General Secretary of Road Transport Workers Federation Osman Ali presided over the meeting.