Dhaka: Speakers at a media discussion in Dhaka on Wednesday called for the immediate removal of unfit vehicles from roads and highways to ensure safe and hassle-free travel for holidaymakers during the upcoming Eid vacation. The recommendations came during a media discussion titled ‘The Mass Media Role in Road Safety’ held on Wednesday at the meeting room of the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission in Shyamoli, Dhaka.
According to United News of Bangladesh, keynote presenter Sharmeen Rahman, Project Coordinator of the Health Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, made urgent recommendations to the government. She highlighted that road crashes and fatalities during the Eid pilgrimage have increased alarmingly in 2026 compared to 2025, exposing systemic weaknesses. Rahman emphasized the need for immediate action to control vehicle speed on highways, halt the movement of unfit vehicles, ensure adequate rest for drivers, and deploy mobile courts at critical points.
Muhammad Jahangir Alam, General Secretary of the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) and Special Correspondent of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), underscored the necessity of deploying sufficient highway police personnel to minimize road crashes. He urged the government to prevent unfit buses from departing terminals.
Senior Reporter of The Daily Ittefaq, Jamiul Ahsan Shipu, pointed out that long queues at toll plazas and bridges during Eid often lead to severe traffic congestion. He suggested increasing the number of toll booths during Eid to alleviate congestion.
Senior Reporter of Daily Naya Diganta, Aminul Islam, remarked that although numerous laws exist in the country, loopholes within them often allow offenders to escape punishment. He noted that the Road Transport Act contains several weaknesses, hindering effective enforcement and significant reduction in road crashes.
Touhiduzzaman Tanmoy, Staff Correspondent of JagoNews24.com, highlighted that while road crash incidents are regularly reported in the media, the underlying causes and follow-up investigations are often lacking in news coverage. He stressed the need for comprehensive follow-up reporting on road crashes.
Moderator Shuvra Deb, Senior Reporter, Crime of Daily Manabzamin, stated that road safety is not the responsibility of any single organization or individual. It requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, including the media. The journalists also emphasized the importance of mandatory use of BSTI-approved helmets, limiting motorcycle passengers to two persons including the rider, preventing reckless lane changing, designating the left lane for motorcycles on highways, and enhancing monitoring to stop dangerous overtaking.
They called for wider public awareness campaigns on road safety. The journalists further observed that the quicker the government formulates and strictly implements a comprehensive Safe System Approach-based Road Safety Law, the sooner it will be possible to reduce disorder and fatalities on the roads. They urged the government to prioritize the enactment and enforcement of such a law to ensure safer and more enjoyable journeys during Eid and throughout the year.