CHITTAGONG, June 10: Drivers are directly and indirectly responsible for 70 percent of the total road accidents
that claim over 10,000 lives and injure 30,000 people annually in the country.

Participating in the seminar title "Mass Awareness Rally for Reducing Road Accident", the speakers said massive road accidents also cause financial losses of more than Taka 5,000 crore per annum.

Among the victims, 80 percent are under age of 45 while 75 percent injured persons lead inhuman life until their death.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Chittagong in cooperation with Chittagong District Administration organized the seminar after holding rally held at Chittagong Zilla Parishad auditorium this afternoon to raise awareness among the professional drivers and reduce the road accident.

Around three hundred owners, drivers and workers of different modes of transport of long distance routes and commuter services participated in the workshop.

BRTA Chairman Ayubur Rahman Khan spoke at the function as the chief guest while Eshan-e-Elahi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (gen) of Chittagong in the chair.

The function was addressed among others by Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong Sirajul Haque Khan, eminent film actor and founder of 'Nirapod Sarak Chai'Ilias Kanchon, Director, (Enforcement) BRTA Moshiur Rahman, Acting Commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police Shafiqul Islam, General Secretary of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Federation Mohammad Osmal Ali and General Secretary of the Chittagong Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation Monjurul Alam Monju.

Presenting an overview of the road mishaps, Aybur Rahman Khan said nearly 20 people on an average are died and 80 injured in road accidents in the country every day. Analyzing the causes and natures of the accidents, he said poor training, inefficiency and recklessness of drivers were main reasons of tragic road mishaps.

He termed over loading, over taking, reckless driving, personal interest for time consuming, dilapidated conditions of
the vehicles and bad shape of roads were also some major causes of growing road mishaps in the country. The discussants said the death toll caused by the road accidents is higher than murder in criminal incidents in the country but the issue of road accidents and its effective prevention has not been addressed with due importance.

The owners and drivers demanded the authorities concerned to impart proper training to drivers and transport workers before and after giving them driving licenses. Stressing the need for raising awareness and in-service training to the drivers for reducing the road accidents, Ayubur Rahman called upon the owners and drivers to run their respective vehicles in cool brain and with patience.