A mid-term sustainable plan: Essential for a safe Eid journey

Every year, before Eid, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and Highway Police hold multiple meetings with stakeholders to ensure a safe Eid journey. In these meetings, they pledge to prevent expired and defective vehicles from operating, restrict city service buses in the capital from running long distances, prohibit passengers from being transported in trucks or pickup vans, strictly control fare overcharging, and curb extortion on roads and highways at all costs. 

However, in reality, very little of this is implemented. This is not surprising, as during the 3 to 4 days of Eid travel, approximately 12.5 to 13 million people journey from Dhaka to various destinations across the country. There is no adequate public transportation system to accommodate such a massive number of people in such a short period. 

Train services are significantly insufficient, and river transport is neither convenient nor efficient. As a result, people take risks and travel by road, driven by the desire to be with their loved ones. 

The relevant government authorities merely observe this situation passively. There is little visible effort to stop extortion on roads, prevent excessive fare collection, or restrict the movement of unsafe vehicles. 

However, in some years, depending on favorable weather and road conditions and with the sincere efforts of the police force, people can travel with relatively less traffic congestion during Eid. 

The need for a mid-term sustainable plan

To ensure a safe and smooth Eid journey, planning cannot be done just 10 to 15 days or a month before Eid. A sustainable and coordinated action plan covering at least three years is required. Under this plan: 

Railway expansion: Renovate and expand railway networks while increasing the number of trains to encourage more travelers to opt for rail transport. 

Improvement of river routes: Make river transport more efficient and commuter-friendly. 

Enhanced public transport: Increase the number of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses and expand routes. 

Elimination of unfit vehicles: Permanently remove outdated and defective vehicles from roads.
 
Special travel arrangements for garment workers: Implement phased holidays and region-specific transportation to prevent excessive congestion. 

Addressing road safety challenges

Another major concern is the frequent collisions between high-speed heavy vehicles and slow-moving small vehicles such as CNG auto-rickshaws, Nasimon, and Votvoti on highways. These accidents often result in significant casualties. To mitigate such incidents the following measures can be taken: 

Restrict slow-moving vehicles on highways

Given that Bangladesh's rural roads are directly connected to highways, a structural solution is necessary. Redesigning rural roads to run parallel to highways instead of merging directly would prevent small vehicles from being forced onto major roads. 
Service roads and lane separation

Where alternative routes are unavailable, service roads should be built. Temporary barricades can help maintain lane discipline in areas without dividers. 

Dedicated motorcycle lanes

Motorcycles should be assigned specific lanes, and their use as a primary mode of long-distance travel should be discouraged by improving public transport options. 

Enforcement of helmet use and speed limits

High-quality helmets can reduce accident fatality rates by 48%, making their use essential. Additionally, strict enforcement of speed limits through technological interventions is necessary.

Curbing extortion and traffic mismanagement

One of the biggest impediments to a well-functioning transport system is rampant extortion along highways, often carried out by politically affiliated groups and, at times, with the involvement of corrupt police officials. The government must take a firm stance against these illegal activities. If political parties take responsibility for preventing their activists from engaging in extortion, it will also deter corrupt law enforcement officials from participating in such practices. 

Regulating motorcycle advertising

Manufacturers and marketers of motorcycles must be regulated to ensure responsible advertising. Many advertisements glorify reckless speed and high-risk maneuvers, fostering a dangerous thrill-seeking culture among young riders. Instead, marketing campaigns should emphasise safety and responsible riding behavior. 

Promoting road safety awareness

Political leaders, religious institutions, and educational centers must play a role in fostering road safety consciousness: 

Political leaders should instruct their activists on responsible road usage.

Mosques should incorporate road safety awareness messages in Friday sermons.

Schools and universities should conduct road safety awareness programs. 

Safeguarding transport workers' rights

One of the primary reasons for road accidents is driver fatigue caused by poor working conditions. Most transport workers face excessive working hours, lack job security, and receive inadequate wages, leading to mental and physical exhaustion. Ensuring fair wages, regulated working hours, and job security as per the Road Transport Act-2018 will contribute to safer driving conditions. 

Utilising mass media for road safety advocacy

Mass media, particularly social media, should actively promote road safety messages. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) should mandate that road safety messages be displayed as unskippable content on digital platforms, similar to advertisements. A well-executed awareness campaign can lead to widespread behavioral change. 

Addressing post-eid travel risks

While government agencies take active steps to ensure a safer journey before Eid, these efforts often dissipate after Eid, leading to an increase in accidents during the return journey. Typically, travelers returning post-Eid are financially constrained and emotionally drained, leading to hurried and sometimes reckless travel decisions. Authorities must formulate road safety strategies that account for both pre-Eid and post-Eid travel periods. 

Conclusion

A three-year mid-term sustainable plan is crucial for ensuring a safe and organized Eid journey. By implementing long-term, structural changes in transportation infrastructure, traffic enforcement, and road safety awareness, Bangladesh can move toward a more efficient and secure travel experience during Eid. Sustainable policies and proactive governance are the only pathways to achieving a safer and more reliable transport system.

Saidur Rahman. Photo: Collected

Saidur Rahman is the executive director of Road Safety Foundation