Reckless driving, drivers' drowsiness main reasons

Coaches travelling at night are often involved in road crashes in Gaibandha due to driver's drowsiness, reckless driving and the highway having many bends and curves, said police following a probe.

Revealing the findings on five road accidents that happened between March and August 11 at a recent district law and order committee meeting, police said they would take measures to fix the problems that led to the road accidents on Bogra-Rangpur highway between Gobindaganj and Palashbari upazilas.

Abdul Mannan Mia, superintendent of Gaibandha police, said in the investigation, it has been found that drivers of the coaches heading for northern districts, coming especially from the capital, have dinner at restaurants in Bogra after crossing the Bangabandhu Jamuna bridge.

They feel drowsy after an hour or two of having dinner late at night. They often become “acutely” drowsy when they cross Gaibandha and have accidents on the highway which has many turns. So, Gaibandha is considered an accident prone-district, he added.

Talking to this correspondent, some coach drivers echoed Mannan's views.

Since March this year, 31 people were killed and over 75 others injured in five accidents between Gobindaganj and Palashbari upazilas. Three of them happened due to “reckless driving and drivers' drowsiness”.

Nuruzzaman Prodhan, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Palashbari upazila unit, whose house is near the highway, said except drivers' drowsiness, trend of overtaking and reckless driving are the reasons for road crashes on the route. Moreover, some dangerous turns on the highway also contribute to accidents.

Mokbul Hossain Mukul, president of Gaibandha Bus Malik Samity, said drivers often become fatigued as they have to drive long distances.

The Samity claimed to have ensured a single trip within 24 hours for a driver driving between Gaibandha and Dhaka. The initiative has been taken so that drivers do not get exhausted, he said.

He also suggested providing adequate training to drivers and supervisors of long-haul coaches on how to keep themselves alert. 

SP Mannan said an initiative is being taken to set up a corner for drivers' rest at Gobindaganj Highway Police Station.

Highway police will halt all coaches at night so that drivers can have a break and a cup of tea, he added.