Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Sunday reiterated that the government remains firmly committed to ensuring road safety, announcing a Tk2,800 crore project supported by the World Bank aimed at reducing road accidents across Bangladesh.
He said the project will introduce regular programmes including professional driver training, medical check-ups, eye and blood pressure examinations, and drug-use screening for drivers. These initiatives, he added, will continue until road safety standards improve significantly.
The minister made the remarks while speaking at a programme titled “Cheque Distribution among Victims of Road Accidents and Public Awareness Campaign to Prevent Road Accidents,” organised by the BRTA Trustee Board at the Rajbari Municipality auditorium. The event was arranged in coordination with the district administration and BRTA Rajbari Circle.
Rabiul Alam said most road accidents in Bangladesh occur due to driver negligence, lack of proper training, reckless driving behaviour and mechanical faults in vehicles. He also pointed out that the mixing of slow and fast-moving vehicles on the same roads and public unawareness further increase accident risks.
State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Railways Ministry Habibur Rashid and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom attended the event as special guests, while Rajbari Deputy Commissioner Afroza Parveen presided over the programme.
Officials, including BRTA Chairman Habibur Rahman and Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Secretary General Saiful Alam, were also present.
The minister noted that the programme was organised mainly to express solidarity with victims’ families and to extend support to those affected by road accidents.
He added that the investigation report into the 25 March accident at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat No-3 had already been submitted and identified driver error and vehicle defects as the main causes.
At the event, cheques amounting to Tk2.60 crore were distributed among 62 people killed or injured in various accidents in Rajbari District.
Other speakers stressed coordinated efforts, greater awareness and accountability among drivers, vehicle owners and passengers to prevent future tragedies.
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