Shahariar Islam Sovon :
Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, is no stranger to traffic congestion and road accidents. A significant contributor to these issues is the alarming number of unfit vehicles plying on its roads. With over 25,000 expired vehicles and a total of around 5 lakh unfit vehicles, the city’s roadways are increasingly hazardous, not only causing severe traffic jams but also leading to a concerning rise in accidents.
The presence of outdated and poorly maintained vehicles compromises the safety of all road users, adds to air pollution, and underscores the urgent need for reforms in transportation management. As citizens grapple with the daily impact of these unfit vehicles, the call for a smarter and more efficient public transport system becomes ever more pressing.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) reports alarming numbers, with 35,782 registered buses older than 20 years and 37,275 trucks and lorries exceeding 25 years of age. In a distressing report from the first quarter of 2023, at least 1,051 lives were lost, and 1,440 injuries were reported from 1,017 traffic accidents. Critical analysis reveals that 39% of these accidents occurred due to drivers losing control of their vehicles, while 25.9% were attributed to head-on collisions.
The report further categorizes the remaining incidents, with pedestrians being struck (17.9%) and rear-end collisions (14.4%) among the notable causes. Trucks and motorbikes were identified as the most common vehicles involved, responsible for 24.3% and 29.9% of total accidents, respectively. The late morning hours emerged as the most dangerous time for drivers, accounting for 24.9% of incidents, closely followed by nighttime (23.95%) and noon (20.5%). BRTA Chairman Noor Mohammad Majumder raised alarms over the role of unfit vehicles in these accidents, stating that over 500,000 unfit and expired vehicles are currently in the country, with 30% off the roads and the remaining 70% posing substantial safety risks.
In response to these pressing issues, the government has announced a six-month phase-out period for old and unfit vehicles on Dhaka’s streets. Earlier, Adviser to the Interim Government Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized that vehicle owners will be required to transition to environmentally-friendly alternatives during this timeframe.