SHARIATPUR, Dec 11: Shariatpur is witnessing an alarming trend as teenagers and young people, including school and college students, are increasingly engaging in reckless motorcycle riding, leading to a surge in road accidents.
Many minors, driven by peer pressure or a desire for thrill, are taking to the roads without proper training, safety measures, or legal documents such as driving licenses.
This phenomenon is causing significant distress for guardians, particularly in middle- and low-income families, who often feel compelled to buy motorcycles to fulfil their children's demands. In some cases, refusal to meet these demands has even resulted in incidents of suicide.
The consequences are dire. Over the past six months, 25 motorcycle accidents have been reported in the district, claiming the lives of 20 young riders aged 16 to 18. Experts attribute the accidents to reckless driving, speeding, lack of helmets, and poor road conditions. For instance, on November 3, a tragic head-on collision between two motorcycles in Naodoba, Jajira Upazila, killed four young men, all aged between 16 and 18.
Advocate Murad Hossain Munshi, president of the Safe Road Movement in Shariatpur, expressed concern over the lack of discipline among teenage bikers, most of whom are school and college students. He emphasized the need for awareness about road safety and strict enforcement of laws to prevent such tragedies.
Shariatpur Police Superintendent (SP) Md Nazrul Islam highlighted that minors legally have no right to drive motorcycles. He pointed out that despite awareness among teachers and guardians, many teenagers continue to ride recklessly, ignoring road rules.
The SP stressed that guardians must play a pivotal role in addressing this issue alongside stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
Authorities and experts are urging families, educators, and local law-enforcement to collaborate in curbing this dangerous trend, ensuring that young lives are not lost unnecessarily on the roads.
