Cabinet approves new transport law with highest 5yr jail

The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft of Road Transport Act 2018 amid the ongoing student movement demanding safe roads.   

The draft bill contains the provision of maximum five-year non-bailable jail term or a fine or both for any death or serious injuries caused by reckless driving.  

The approval was given at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet held at Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam briefed media after the meeting highlighting parts of the new draft. 

Under the proposed law, if death through road crash is proved as intentional murder then the offenders will be punished as per the Penal Code, said the Cabinet secretary. 

The previous transport law entitled the maximum penalty of three years behind bars with the provision of bail.