Control the speed and route of autorickshaws

In the past, the country only had CNG-powered auto-rickshaws; now, battery-operated auto-rickshaws have also been introduced. These vehicles are widespread across the nation, including in the capital, Dhaka. While they have improved the speed and ease of commuting, they have also introduced significant risks. The uncontrolled speed of these auto rickshaws has led to numerous accidents, resulting in many fatalities.

According to a newspaper report published on Monday, September 10, a head-on collision between a microbus and a battery-run auto-rickshaw in Kamarkhand, Sirajganj, claimed the lives of six individuals—all passengers and drivers of the auto rickshaw. Data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) reveals a worrying trend: road accidents have increased by 43.95 percent and fatalities by 30 percent this year compared to the first three months of the previous year. From January to March this year, 1,367 people lost their lives, and 1,778 were injured in 1,464 road accidents.

Road accidents have become an epidemic in Bangladesh, with efforts to curb them proving largely ineffective. The administration's lack of proactive measures is evident, as CNG auto rickshaws continue to operate on highways and battery-run auto-rickshaws are seen crowding these roads as well.

Before August 5, battery-powered auto rickshaws were relatively rare on the streets of Dhaka. However, following a change in government, police presence in the city diminished for a time, leading to a surge in battery-run auto-rickshaws. These vehicles continue to crowd Dhaka's roads, running alongside buses and trucks on their narrow wheels. Passengers frequently express concern over the risk of accidents, and drivers often have to caution the drivers to slow down.

In addition to causing accidents, these auto rickshaws contribute significantly to traffic congestion. They frequently occupy busy highways, exacerbating traffic jams. Reports indicate that traffic regulations are often ignored in lower-density areas of the city where these battery-run rickshaws operate. For instance, while areas like Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara have restrictions on these vehicles, places such as Jatrabari, Syedabad, Mugda, Maniknagar, Manda, and Sipahibagh face no such limitations. This discrepancy leads to severe congestion and increased chaos in these densely populated areas.

Research indicates that reckless driving by battery-powered auto rickshaw drivers is causing frequent accidents on both main roads and alleyways in the capital, leading to casualties. Many of these incidents are becoming widely discussed, while countless others go unreported.

There is an urgent need to regulate the speed and routes of these auto-rickshaws. Strict laws should be established to enforce road regulations, and these laws must be effectively implemented. It is essential to put an end to these dangerous practices and prevent further loss of life on our streets.