Dhaka, May 20 (V7N) — Ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha, road safety experts and journalists have called for urgent measures to prevent accidents during the Eid travel rush, including stopping the movement of unfit vehicles and strengthening highway enforcement.
The recommendations were made at a discussion titled “Things to Do During a Safe Eid Journey to Prevent Road Crashes” held on Wednesday (May 20) at the Dhaka Ahsania Mission Health Sector meeting room in Shyamoli.
Road Safety Project Coordinator Sharmin Rahman said road crashes and fatalities during Eid travel in 2026 have increased compared to 2025, highlighting continued weaknesses in the country’s transport safety system. She warned that the situation could worsen without immediate intervention.
She recommended strict enforcement of speed control on highways, removal of unfit vehicles, mandatory rest for drivers, and increased mobile court operations at key transport points.
Participants also stressed the need to restrict overloaded freight trucks during peak travel periods, use speed guns for monitoring, introduce digital toll booths, and prevent excessive fare collection.
Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) General Secretary and UNB Special Correspondent Muhammad Jahangir Alam called for increased deployment of highway police and stronger enforcement against unsafe buses leaving terminals.
Journalists also highlighted congestion at toll plazas as a major cause of Eid travel delays, suggesting additional booths to improve traffic flow.
Daily Naya Diganta senior reporter Aminul Islam pointed out gaps in the Road Transport Act, saying enforcement challenges allow violators to avoid punishment despite existing laws.
Other journalists emphasized the importance of follow-up reporting on road accidents to better understand causes and prevent recurrence, rather than only reporting incidents.
The meeting concluded that road safety is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated action among government agencies, media, and transport operators. Speakers also called for mandatory helmet use for motorcyclists, strict lane discipline, and stronger awareness campaigns.
They urged the government to fast-track a comprehensive road safety law and ensure strict enforcement ahead of the Eid season to make travel safer and more organized for millions of passengers.
END/SMA/AJ
