The government has decided to take strict action against the traffic rules violators as the number of road crashes increased by 30% in 2021 than the previous years.

A taskforce on ensuring road safety made the decision at a meeting held at the Secretariat on Sunday, February 13.

Following the meeting, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said: "We have taken several decisions with a deadline of work to bring discipline on roads."

"Dope test will be made obligatory for the vehicle drivers and within two months they should get their appointment letters."

He said arrangements will be made in phases to conduct dope tests at the terminals and drivers will be tested immediately before driving.

"After two months, we will check whether the owners have provided appointment letters to staff, drivers as it is in the law," he said.

The home minister said the government would also take steps to stop the practice of money collection in the name of associations on the roads.

"Except in bus or truck terminals, any money collection on the roads will not be allowed. Even the tax courts formed in the district and upazila levels won’t be allowed to collect money from anywhere," he said.

The minister said the police chief has been asked to take action in this regard.

He said a committee has been formed led by the Bangladesh Road Transport Association (BRTA) chairman to examine how long the old private and government vehicles can operate on the roads.

"The decision to form the committee was made as the expired old vehicles often cause accidents on the roads," he added.

The minister said a decision was made to make the issuance of the driving license process easier as well at the meeting.

At least 5,088 people were killed in 5,472 road crashes in 2021, which is 30% higher than the previous year, police say.

According to the plan, the government wants to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 20%-25% by 2024 and 50% by 2030.

"We are optimistic to implement the target within the timeframe," said Akhter Hossain, senior secretary of the Public Security Division.