Drivers responsible for 80 per cent accidents

Drivers are responsible for 80 per cent of road accidents, said a speaker quoting a survey report.

According to the survey, 10

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per cent accidents took place because of faulty road design and mechanical faults of vehicles accounted for 5 per cent accidents.

The Asian Crime Prevention Foundation Bangladesh (ACPF, B) organised the seminar on 'Road safety - presentation of Victims' Exhibits' at Rajarbagh Police Lines Telecom Auditorium in the city.

According to another survey, 84 per cent vehicles do not have any fitness certificate, which is one of the major reasons for accident, said Ashraful Alam Ratan, a research officer, Work for a Better Bangladesh, in his keynote paper.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is going to form seven teams led by a magistrate to enforce traffic laws in divisional cities, including Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna, said M Shoaib, a director of BRTA.

In most cases, BRTA was forced to provide fitness certificate without checking the vehicles because of pressure from various influential quarters, he added.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shahudul Haque attended the seminar as chief guest and Tetsuo Yamashita, minister, embassy of Japan, was present as special guest.

The speakers called for raising awareness among drivers, pedestrians and passengers about traffic rules and signs.

Ashraful Alam said drivers' ignorance of traffic rules and signs, faulty vehicles and poor management of roads and highways are responsible for road accidents.

Chaired by former IGP Dr M Enamul Huq, the seminar was also addressed by Prof Mazharul Islam of BUET, Rockfar Sultana, enforcement officer, Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB), film star Ilias Kanchan, Khondaker Showkat Hossain, general secretary, ACPF,B, and Dobir Uddin, father of a road crash victim.

The Work for a Better Bangladesh also organised an exhibition with pictures of 50 accident victims of this year on display. The shoes of the victims were also put on display.