Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader attributed the recent spike in road accidents to the reckless driving of motorcycles and easy bikes. He shared these insights while exchanging Eid greetings at the secretariat on Wednesday morning.
Quader highlighted the alarming trend of increasing motorcycle accidents, pointing out that high-speed driving is the primary cause. "It is very unfortunate that road accidents are on the rise, especially involving motorcycles. Reckless speed is causing most of these accidents," he stated. Easybikes, too, are driven at dangerously high speeds, contributing significantly to the accident statistics.
The Minister emphasised the urgent need for policy intervention to address this issue. "We cannot remove these vehicles from the roads, but we must regulate them. Therefore, I have instructed the secretary to expedite policy formulation," Quader explained.
Quader also mentioned the chaos caused by the millions of three-wheelers and motorcycles on the country's roads and highways. "A policy is crucial because human lives are being risked to protect livelihoods. Political considerations often influence the regulation of these vehicles," he said. Despite a rule in Dhaka ensuring 98 percent of motorcyclists and riders wear helmets, safety concerns persist.
Reflecting on the Eid travel period, Quader noted that while outbound journeys were relatively smooth, return trips are prone to accidents due to reduced vigilance. "The return journey needs more attention to prevent accidents," he added.
Minister Quader called for swift policy measures to control the reckless driving of motorcycles and easy bikes, emphasising the balance between livelihood and safety on the roads.
