RANGPUR, Oct 22, 2024 (BSS) - Officials and experts have called for abiding by traffic rules while driving vehicles and strict enforcement of related laws to restore order on the roads for reducing road accidents and casualties.
 
They expressed the view today at a discussion held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner in observance of the National Road Safety Day-2024 in the city.
 
The district administration, Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) chalked out programs marking the day.
 
The programs included refreshers' training for professional drivers, discussion and distribution of compensation cheques among victims of road accidents.
 
Additional Deputy Commissioner Most Shahnaz Begum attended the discussion as the chief guest with Divisional Deputy Director (Engineering) of Rangpur Circle of BRTA Engineer Abdul Kuddus in the chair.
 
RHD Executive Engineer Sajedur Rahman, BRTA Deputy General Manager Zulfiqar Ali, Vice-president of Rangpur district Truck Workers' Union Ashraf Ali and General Secretary of Rangpur district Bus Workers' Union Asaduzzaman Babu addressed the event.
 
Engineer Abdul Kuddus said there is no substitute for skilled drivers as most accidents are caused by reckless driving and called for stopping driving without valid documents alongside taking strict stand against those who violate the laws.
 
"Alongside raising awareness, transport owners, workers, passengers and pedestrians must be more responsible in obeying the laws to build safe roads, reduce accidents and human casualties," he said.
 
The chief guest said that drivers should be sincere and pedestrians should be aware to prevent accidents.
 
"Avoid talking on mobile while driving. Never drive while tired and drowsy," she said, adding that most of the accidents occur due to carelessness.
 
"Accidents are continuing to occur due to reckless speeding, weakness in the driver and vehicle registration systems, driving with unlicensed or fake license, unfit and unsafe vehicles," she said.
 
"It is also very important to exercise caution while crossing the road to reduce accidents," she said.
 
Later, six families affected by the road accidents were given cheques of financial assistance of Taka five lakh each totaling Taka 30 lakh in the function.