While the traffic discipline week is on, with the police impounding vehicles and giving cases for break of road rules, the number of accidents has not fallen.

Specialists say that the plying of vehicles without fitness is going on with drivers often driving recklessly.

According to the statistics of an online portal, from Dec 1, 2018 till Jan 27, a total of 345 persons were killed in road accidents.

On Sunday night, a youth died after being run over by a truck on the Airport Road.

Acting OC of airport police station, Nur e Azam says, “The truck carrying rods experienced a failed brake and hit the young man and his companion, killing both.”

Secretary-general of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, Mozammel Huq Chowdhury, told Bangla Tribune, “Unless we manage to come out of the mismanagement of roads, tackling accidents will be difficult.”

At the same time, the awareness of the people has to be raised and the administration has to enforce laws stringently.

Pointing to the safe road campaign spearheaded by teenagers a few months ago, he said, “The whole nation supported the move by the youngsters, yet the situation has not improved.”

On one hand traffic week is underway and on the other, accidents are happening, he said adding, “Traffic police has to ensure that passengers are not picked up or dropped without the designated stoppage.”

“Also, cars without fitness must not be allowed on the roads.”

He further said that only fines will not change the mindset of the drivers and owners will have to come out of a sentiment of greed.

Chairman of Nirapod Shorok Chai, Ilias Kanchan, told Bangla Tribune, “The fines need to be raised and three month long awareness campaigns have to be carried out in schools, colleges, universities and govt. and non govt. organisations.”