In Bangladesh, buses, minibuses, human haulers and auto-rickshaws are the most widely used means of transport for daily commuting. However, most of these vehicles lack fitness certificates, turning them into moving death traps for passengers on the roads.
A study by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) found that nearly 20 percent of road accidents occurring in the country every day are caused by unfit motor vehicles. These unroadworthy vehicles are responsible for countless fatalities on a daily basis.
Fitness Certificates: Law and Inspection
Under existing laws, driving unfit vehicles on the road is a punishable offence. Among the mandatory permits required to operate a vehicle is the fitness certificate, issued by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The fitness test examines axle load, tire bead, brakes, smoke emission, headlights, alignment, paint, seats, engine and body condition. If all criteria are met, a vehicle is granted the certificate. According to BRTA, there are about 6.4 million registered motor vehicles in Bangladesh, including 4.7 million motorcycles. Motorcycles are not required to have fitness certificates. Over 1.7 million vehicles are legally bound to possess valid fitness certificates, yet around 650,000 of them currently lack updated certification.
Public Transport and Contract Vehicles
Recent data on transport shows there are 56,733 buses, 28,561 minibuses, and 17,374 human haulers in operation. Of these, 23,665 buses, 11,905 minibuses and 14,510 human haulers—used for carrying passengers on designated routes—lack valid fitness certificates. According to BRTA, about 380,000 contract vehicles are registered as auto-rickshaws, auto-tempos, and taxi cabs, including approximately 327,000 auto-rickshaws, 16,000 auto-tempos and 36,000 taxis. BRTA reports that more than 223,000 of these contract vehicles do not have updated certificates, including nearly 211,000 auto-rickshaws across the country.
Expired Vehicles and Road Risks
The government has fixed the economic lifespan of buses at 20 years and trucks at 25 years. BRTA data show that in the Dhaka metropolitan and district areas, there are 10,556 buses and minibuses older than 20 years, and nationwide, an additional 18,205 vehicles in this category. In Dhaka alone, there are 14,683 trucks, covered vans and tank lorries older than 25 years, with another 31,798 such vehicles across the country. Altogether, Bangladesh has over 75,000 expired buses and trucks still in operation.
The unchecked movement of unfit motor vehicles on highways and roads exposes passengers and pedestrians to serious risks. These vehicles frequently stall or lose control, leading to rising casualties. Their thick smoke and deafening noise pollute the environment, contributing to widespread health problems. When these vehicles break down in the middle of the road, they also cause traffic congestion.
Accidents and Mechanical Failures
In most accidents, the vehicles involved are found to be unfit. Weak brakes, wheels, steering and gears often cause drivers to lose control. While a fit vehicle in an accident may result in casualties, the toll is several times higher when unfit vehicles are involved. Across Dhaka and beyond, some buses are so unfit they are completely unsuitable for carrying passengers. Yet due to the shortage of public transport, commuters are forced to travel in these risky vehicles. Many of these buses are battered, with peeling paint, broken windows, damaged seats, and unsanitary conditions.
Comments from Officials and Experts
Asked about unfit vehicles, Inspector Md Ashiqur Rahman of the Traffic Police’s City and Vehicle Division at Matsya Bhaban said it is rare to find documentary unfitness among vehicles in the Dhaka Metropolitan area (DMP). “In DMP, most vehicles have fitness and updated documents. Many claim otherwise just by looking from the outside, but the reality is different. If the documents are in order, we cannot detain a vehicle,” he said. On black smoke emissions, he explained that the Department of Environment had not provided the police with measuring instruments. “Still, if we visually detect smoke, we file cases.”
Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, secretary general of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, said expired, ramshackle buses increase risks. “In head-on collisions or when buses hit roadside trees, the vehicles are crumpling completely. They fail to provide any protection to passengers. Seats detach and collide with others, causing fatalities and injuries. These unfit vehicles pose a serious threat to passengers’ lives,” he said.
Professor Dr M Shamsul Hoque, Director of the Accident Research Institute at BUET, told Banglanews that one of the main causes of accidents is mechanical failure. “Unfit vehicles are more prone to mechanical breakdowns, and this is a major reason for accidents,” he said.
He added that while the government classifies some vehicles as unfit but still registered, an even greater number of illegal vehicles operate without any quality or safety checks. “Many of these are driven by people with no road sense. If risks were to be ranked, BRTA—as the regulatory authority—should know which vehicles are most dangerous, and act accordingly,” he said.
Despite repeated attempts, no comment was obtained from BRTA Chairman Abu Momtaz Sad Uddin Ahmed, Road Safety Director Shitangshu Shekhar Biswas, or Assistant Director Abdullah Al Noman regarding measures on unfit vehicles.
International Context and Recommendations
The United Nations’ Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 identifies safe vehicles as its third pillar. Unfit vehicles are also seen as an obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Experts argue that if fitness checks and enforcement are effectively implemented, road accident fatalities could be significantly reduced.
Recommendations include: making fitness tests and updates mandatory; removing expired vehicles from service; ensuring environmentally friendly and safe vehicles; strengthening road safety laws; and guaranteeing regular monitoring and emergency services.
The dangers posed by unfit vehicles cannot be ignored. These vehicles put lives at risk every day. Only through the combined efforts of the government, BRTA, transport experts and citizens can road safety be ensured.
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