Where are they now: Drivers who fled the scene of an accident

After a disastrous road crash in 2015, former trucker Rabiul Hasan's life turned upside down, or right-side up, because he was miserable before but is living the dream now.

"I needed that crash. It was pivotal for thinking over whether I still wanted to run over unsuspecting people," he said, as nostalgia filled the air.

Rabiul, now retired as he says, happily spends days with his beloved family, since fleeing the scene. Locals frequently gather to see Rabiul act in elaborate storylines with his two blonde sons for TikTok, which, according to him, is a great bonding exercise.

"Driving trucks is a family tradition. My father was a trucker, so was his father, and his father was a train conductor so they disowned him," Rabiul said. "They used to say operating trains is for sissies; you just go on tracks, no freedom.

"They failed to realise they're not so free themselves, shackled by dogmas of lineage. I, however, want to break free and let my children do whatever they want," he said.

But breaking free will not be easy, as trails of his past, in the form of cases filed against him, loom over his head.

When asked about the cases, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rakibul Hussain of Kowtuholi Police Station said, "Investigation is ongoing. He is still on the run."

After showing him Rabiul's TikTok videos, the visibly shaken OC said, "In-investigation is ongoing."

While Rabiul is taking it easy, Tariqul Huq, who had his momentous "accident" in 2018, is now more ambitious than ever.

Tariqul, a former bus driver, now makes educational content on YouTube.

"After running away from the ACCIDENT, I realised how essential it is to educate my fellow transport workers," he said. "I now make videos explaining how to effectively flee the scene, train minors to drive and handle protests against us, among other subjects."

For emotional support, Tariqul also produces motivational videos on his channel "Trucker Carson". "This is needed, as non-transport workers will never understand the pain experienced when we abandon our cherished vehicles and run the other way or lose the race to get more passengers," he said.

His videos get thousands of views, with accused drivers seeking legal and financial advice in the comment section. "I'm honoured to be of service," Tariqul added.

Many like Rabiul and Tariqul have sacrificed their need for speed to venture into unknown territories. But even then, they will never be able to leave their love for real-life bumper cars behind.

"The thought of crashing into a road divider gets my spine tingling," an excited Tariqul said.

"Yeah, I wish I could ram into a cow-laden truck just one more time," Rabiul chimed in, with a grin on his face.