The government formed a nine-member expert committee at the beginning of 2024. Their task was to draft a modern law based on the UN-recognized Safe System Approach. The draft prioritized safe roads, vehicles, drivers, speed control, and rapid post-accident medical care. But more than a year later, the law remains confined to the draft stage.
Officials at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges said that the preliminary drafting work has started, and discussions will be held with experts, transport owners and workers, and civil society representatives.
In this regard, Liton Ershad, Vice Chairman of “Nirapad Sarak Chai” (We Demand Safe Roads), said that passenger insurance must be made mandatory under the Road Safety Act. When registering buses, trucks, microbuses, private cars, and other vehicles, passenger insurance should be compulsory. In addition, a committee should be formed to determine medical expenses for the injured, which could be done under the BRTA by coordinating with road safety councils in each district.
He further said that enacting a law alone will not suffice; the law must also be enforceable. The new law should particularly include provisions addressing driver skills, vehicle fitness, and corruption.
Meanwhile, the number of deaths from road accidents is rising at an alarming rate. Data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and observations from various NGOs show that nearly 3,000 people were killed in road accidents in just the first six months of this year. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the actual number of road fatalities in Bangladesh is much higher than the official figures.
According to WHO, about 25,000 people die in road accidents in Bangladesh every year. A joint study by the Center for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB), and the Ministry of Health found that the annual number exceeds 23,000.
Experts argue that sustainable road management cannot be ensured without a Road Safety Act. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target halving road accident deaths worldwide by 2030. But instead of decreasing, accidents in Bangladesh are on the rise. Hence, there is no alternative to enacting the law quickly.
Dr. Md. Hadiul Islam, Director of the Accident Research Institute (ARI) at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said the existing law has enforcement limitations. A Road Safety Act would help build a strong framework for preventing accidents.
The government has stated that under international commitments, the new Road Safety Act will be implemented by 2027. In addition, an initiative has been taken to launch a central road accident database by 2026.
Abdullah Al Noman, Assistant Director of BRTA’s Road Safety Division, said that work is underway to draft a Road Safety Act, which is currently under review. It is hoped that once implemented, road safety will be strengthened.
Stakeholders emphasize that the new law must not only exist on paper but also be modern and practical. In light of public demand and the alarming rise in road accidents, experts are calling for the draft to be finalized soon, subjected to public opinion surveys, and enriched with expert recommendations before being enacted. Ending delays and ensuring swift enactment and proper enforcement of the law are now urgent.