Around 19 people out of every 100,000 dies in road crashes, according to World Health Organization data shared by Tanzid Mohammad Sohrab Reza, General Secretary of Nirapad Sarak Andolon.
He presented the information at a youth discussion on Road Safety Law, organized by the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing, held Tuesday in the city’s Shyamoli area.
Reza said the existing Road Transport Act 2018 and Road Transport Rules 2022 mainly focus on transport operations and systems but are insufficient to ensure overall road safety.
He stressed the need for a separate “Road Safety Law” in line with UN safe system approach to address all safety-related issues.
The session was moderated by Monoarul Islam, Advocacy Officer (Policy) of the Road Safety Project at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, says a press release.
Other speakers included A.F.M Sadman Sakib, a member of the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing, and Estiak Emon, a general member of the Bangladesh Debate Federation.
The young speakers noted that the current Road Transport Act lacks provisions for safeguarding pedestrians, cyclists, persons with disabilities, and children. They called for a comprehensive law to ensure road safety for all.
They emphasized that youth must again take the lead in urging the government and political parties to enact and enforce a dedicated road safety law, as road crashes remain a major cause of death among young people.
