Round the year training for drivers on the cards
With the aim to curb road accidents, the government will take steps to provide training to drivers round the year, Road Transport and Highway Division Secretary Nazrul Islam said yesterday.
“The government is sincere about providing training to drivers. Our minister is also earnest about it. We will take initiative to provide training round the year,” he said at a discussion.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) organised the discussion at its head office in Banani to mark the UN Global Road Safety Week.
The week (May 6-12) is being observed in Bangladesh for the first time -- to create awareness on road safety.
Untrained and inexperienced drives are often blamed for frequent road accidents which have become a major issue in the country, especially since last year’s student protests for safer roads.
Nazrul Islam said the government will undertake specific projects to provide training to driver.
He read out a letter sent to him by a class 10 student from Faridpur, going over reasons behind accidents and recommendations to prevent accidents.
“We all want safe roads. The issue has also affected this student… such letters make us emotional and push us to be more responsible,” he said.
Lauding the 111-point recommendations prepared by a committee led by former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, he said collective effort is needed to implement the suggestions.
Road safety campaigner Ilias Kanchan urged all to play an active role in raising awareness on safe roads.
Noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud said each accident happen for a specific reason, so drivers should not be blamed for all accidents; although reckless driving is a reason.
He urged the media to play a more responsible role in this regard.
Transport leaders Osman Ali, Rustam Ali, Mahbubur Rahman and Brac’s Road Safety Programme Head Kamran ul Baset also spoke at the event. Mahbub-E-Rabbani, director (road safety) of BRTA, moderated the programme while BRTA Chairman Moshiar Rahman presided over it.
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