The government is working to protect children and youth aged 5–29, said Abu Momtaz Sad Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). He made this statement today (Sunday, 16 November) at 11 AM during a stakeholder consultation meeting organized by BRTA in Banani, Dhaka, with support from the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, marking the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a press release said,
In his presidential remarks, the BRTA Chairman stated that through coordinated efforts, BRTA is actively working to safeguard children and youth aged 5–29. If these young people are not protected, the country will lose its demographic dividend after 2040. He also mentioned that, under the Safe System Approach, BRTA is moving towards automating vehicle fitness checks to ensure safer transport. To develop skilled drivers, a 60-hour training program has been introduced, and BRTA will not issue licenses without completion of this training.
Special guest Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury noted that there is a difference between a road crash and an accident. Road crashes are preventable, whereas accidents are not. Therefore, a dedicated Road Safety Law is needed to ensure safety for all road users. He emphasized that the existing Road Transport Act is focused on transport regulation but does not guarantee safety.
On behalf of the Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh, the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh is once again observing the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to honor those killed and injured in road crashes. This year’s theme is “Remember, Support, Act”—meaning we remember those who died in road crashes, stand beside the injured with support, and take effective action to save lives.
Distinguished guests at the meeting included Professor Khondker Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, and Dr. Md. Shariful Alam, Country Coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, among others.
In the keynote presentation on the theme, it was highlighted that road crashes are the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 5–29. About 92% of road crash deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries—three times higher than in high-income countries. According to data from the World Health Organization, police, and BRTA, the number of road crashes and fatalities is increasing every year. To prevent these avoidable crashes, many countries have adopted the Safe System Approach and successfully reduced road deaths and injuries by 2030. This year, Bangladesh participated in the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety held in Morocco. The government pledged that, under the globally recognized Safe System Approach, Bangladesh will finalize and approve a National Road Safety Law by 2027. By 2026, the country will also: Implement the “Motorcycle Helmet Standard Implementation Guideline” Introduce a “Supportive Manual for Speed Limit Enforcement at Local Level” Establish a Central Road Crash Data System
The significance of these commitments was emphasized during the observance of the day.
Representatives from member organizations of the Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh attended the meeting, including Dhaka Ahsania Mission, BRAC, CIPRB, Steps, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Dhaka International University, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, and BNNRC. Also present were officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, DTCA, Police Headquarters, BRTC, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Highway Police, North and South City Corporations, Department of Social Services, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), World Health Organization, Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, and Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van Owners Association.
