Dhaka:Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) will commence its refresher training programme for 20,000 professional drivers under the Bangladesh Road Safety Project (BRSP) starting Sunday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division Habibur Rashid is set to inaugurate the first phase of the training at BRTC's Tejgoon Training Institute. The initiative includes a five-day training session focusing on road safety issues, conducted across 27 BRTC training institutes and centers nationwide, as part of the government's effort to halve road crashes by 2030.
This training forms part of BRTC’s broader ongoing programme targeting 68,000 fresher and professional drivers through the World Bank-funded BRSP and the Asian Development Bank-funded Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (SICIP). A significant number of women are also participating in various training projects offered by BRTC.
Engineer Fatima Begum, General Manager (IWCS and Training) at BRTC, highlighted the increasing interest from female participants in training programs, particularly in light vehicle operation. She emphasized the role of refresher training in preventing road accidents, updating drivers on traffic laws, enhancing driving skills, and promoting responsible road behavior.
The BRSP includes a four-month training for new drivers and a five-day refresher course to raise awareness among current drivers. These programs aim to instill safe driving habits, help drivers identify potential risks, prevent accidents, and foster a strong sense of responsibility for passenger and pedestrian safety.