Dhaka:The government has distributed a total of Tk 322.89 crore as financial assistance to the families of 7,877 individuals who were either killed or injured in road accidents. This aid was provided under the guidelines of the Road Transport Act 2018 and the subsequent rules established in 2022. The distribution process involved a trustee board that was set up According tose rules.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the trustee board began accepting applications for financial assistance following the enactment of the Road Transport Rules, 2022. Mohammad Rafiul Islam, a Supreme Court lawyer and legal adviser to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), explained that the law specifies compensation for deaths or injuries resulting from road accidents. The board provides financial assistance when victims or their families submit applications correctly.
The distribution of financial aid cheques started on October 19, 2023. Trustee board records show that by October 2026, Tk 322.89 crore had been disbursed to 7,877 victims, with Tk 206.08 crore distributed from January to October 2026. Recipients included 1,432 injured individuals, 684 seriously injured individuals, and the families of 5,761 people who died in road accidents.
Under Section 149 of the Road Transport Rules, 2022, families of deceased victims receive a one-time payment of at least Tk 5 lakh. Victims losing a vital body part or suffering a bedridden injury are entitled to a minimum of Tk 3 lakh, while those severely injured with the potential for recovery receive at least Tk 1 lakh.
Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Hasibur Rahman acknowledged the financial assistance provision but emphasized the need for effective measures to prevent road accidents. He advocated for strict enforcement of traffic rules to ensure proper vehicular management and responsible citizen behavior.
Section 62(1) of the Road Transport Act, 2018, mandates immediate notification of police by drivers or conductors post-accident and requires transportation of injured persons to medical facilities. It also calls for a nationwide toll-free number for emergency assistance requests.
In addition to the financial aid under the Road Transport Act, compensation has been secured through High Court writ petitions. Notably, private car driver Russel Sarkar received Tk 33.4 lakh after losing his leg in a 2018 accident involving a Green Line Paribahan bus. He expressed gratitude to the High Court for enabling this compensation, although he noted that the monetary compensation could never truly offset his loss.