AN ALARMING increase in motorcycle accidents and consequent fatalities suggests both lax enforcement of traffic regulations and motorcyclists鈥� proclivity to disregard them. The photograph that 抖阴精品 published on September 9 shows three teenagers, in school uniforms and without helmets, riding a motorcycle in the rain near the Teacher-Student Centre on the University of Dhaka campus. Such violations of traffic regulations and a general disregard for safety among motorcyclists are largely responsible for the high number of motorcycle-related road accidents. The recent monthly report by the Passenger Welfare Association reveals that more than 35 per cent of all road accident fatalities in August involved motorcycles. In all, 176 people died and 144 became wounded in 165 motorcycle-related road accidents. Earlier monthly reports of the Passenger Welfare Association and the Road Safety Foundation also found that motorcycles were involved in more than a third of all road accidents and consequent fatalities. The reports further showed that almost 75 per cent of the victims were young and most accidents occurred when motorcyclists lost control. Reports also show that motorcycle accidents and fatalities have increased by more than 20 per cent in the past five years and appear to be on the increase.
Motorcycles, believed to be about 30 times riskier than four-wheelers because of their vulnerable design, have now outnumbered all other vehicles across the country. Less than a decade ago, motorcycles accounted for around 10 per cent of all registered motor vehicles. Today, keeping to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, they account for almost 70 per cent. Of the total 5.5 million registered motor vehicles, 71.38 per cent are motorcycles. If unregistered motorcycles were included, the figure could be even higher. Studies show that motorcyclists are most likely to violate traffic regulations, with common offences including reckless driving, failure to maintain lanes and speed limits and not wearing protective equipment such as helmets. Equally worrying are the irregularities and lack of oversight in the increasingly popular ride-sharing sector, where many unapproved and uncertified companies and vehicles continue to operate. In addition, many independent riders, not enlisted with any ride-sharing company, carry passengers. Accidents involving other types of vehicles are also high in number. Roads remain deadly, killing more than 20 people every day, largely because of the authorities鈥� failure to enforce the law properly. Lax enforcement of road regulations has clearly contributed to the increase in accidents.
The authorities should, therefore, enforce the Road Transport Act stringently and all agencies concerned should work with dedication and accountability to ensure sustainable development in the road transport sector. Monitoring of ride-sharing services should also be strengthened and motorcyclists should be made to comply with traffic regulations if accidents are to be reduced.
