BRTC to train 20,000 professional drivers

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will begin a refresher training programme for 20,000 professional drivers on Sunday under the Bangladesh Road Safety Project (BRSP).

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid will inaugurate the first phase at BRTC’s Tejgaon Training Institute.

Under the initiative, professional drivers will receive five days of training on road safety at 27 BRTC training institutes and centres across the country. The programme is part of the government’s target to reduce road crashes by half by 2030.

The training forms part of BRTC’s ongoing programmes for 68,000 new and professional drivers under two projects: the World Bank-funded BRSP and the Asian Development Bank-funded Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (SICIP).

A significant number of women are also receiving training under various BRTC programmes.
Speaking to BSS, BRTC General Manager (IWCS and Training) Engineer Fatima Begum said the initial response from female trainees seeking training as new drivers had been limited, but participation had increased over time. Many women had already received light-vehicle driving training under the two projects, she added.

“Refresher training plays an important role in preventing road accidents, updating professional drivers’ knowledge of traffic laws and regulations, enhancing their safe and defensive driving skills, and ensuring responsible behaviour on the roads,” Fatima said.

Under the BRSP, four-month training courses are being conducted to prepare new professional drivers, while the five-day refresher courses aim to raise awareness among those already working as professional drivers, she added.

Fatima said the programmes would encourage drivers to adopt safe driving habits, identify potential risks, prevent road crashes and take greater responsibility for the safety of passengers and pedestrians.