Bangladesh activists demand road safety reforms ahead of national election

A coalition of road safety advocates in Bangladesh is pushing for stronger laws to reduce traffic deaths. The group wants political parties to include road safety reforms in their election promises. Current figures show around 5,000 deaths and over 10,000 injuries from crashes each year.

The Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh argues that existing laws fail to protect vulnerable road users. The Road Transport Act, 2018 and its 2022 rules lack key measures, such as proper crash investigations and data collection. Official accident numbers may also understate the real toll, with actual figures believed to be far higher.

The coalition is calling for a new road safety law based on the Safe System Approach. This method aims to reduce fatalities by improving infrastructure, vehicle standards, and driver behaviour. Without stronger legislation, the group warns, crashes will keep straining the economy and healthcare system.

Representatives have urged all political parties to commit to these changes in their election manifestos. However, no major party has yet outlined specific road safety plans for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election.

Road crashes remain a major public health issue in Bangladesh, causing thousands of deaths and injuries yearly. The coalition's push for legal reform could lead to stricter enforcement and better protection for pedestrians. Whether political parties adopt these proposals will shape future road safety efforts.