M Iqbal Hossain:-_

In five years and six months, 37,382 people have been killed in 34,894 accidents. The number of people injured in these accidents is 59,597. The non-governmental organization RSF presented this information at a press conference on Sunday.

Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has made 18 proposals under a three-term framework to ensure discipline and safety in the country’s road transport sector from the deplorable state.

The organization says that these reform proposals have been outlined for implementation in three terms from 2025 to 2031. In addition, it is not possible to reduce loss of life and chaos without comprehensive reforms in road management.

The foundation made these proposals at a press conference titled ‘Road Safety Foundation’s Framework for Road Transport Management Reform: Expectations from the Government’ at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday morning. In a written statement at the press conference, the foundation’s Vice Chairman Syed Md. Jahangir outlined the RSF’s three-phase framework for road management reform.

Short-term proposals (2025–2027): Reorganization of the National Road Safety Council, appointment of technical experts at the top positions of BRTA-BRTC-DTCA, institutional reforms, road-related questions and road tests in driving license exams, vehicle lifespan and dumping policies, formulation of road safety laws, development of traffic and parking management, budget allocation for education and awareness activities, allocation of Tk 700 crore to the accident victims’ trust fund and training of administrative officials.

Medium-term proposals (2025–2029): Modern safety technology (ITS, GPS, cameras) mandatory, rapid withdrawal of expired vehicles, route rationalization and company-based bus services, own bus services mandatory for schools and colleges, and speed and safety control of motorcycles.

Long-term proposals (2025–2031): Multi-storey hydraulic parking stations in the capital, safety development and registration of small vehicles, and a unified communications ministry combining road, rail, and waterways should be formed.

In response to a question about whether the government would accept these proposals, Road Safety Foundation Executive Director Saidur Rahman said, “Due to the failure to implement sustainable transport strategies in Bangladesh for 54 years, discipline has not been established in the road transport sector. A safe and people-friendly public transport system has not been developed.”

He said, “The country’s high population density, unplanned urbanization, weak and inadequate road infrastructure, lack of coordination between relevant agencies, lack of transparency and accountability, and lack of awareness among road users are causing the road accident rate in the country to increase at an alarming rate.

Many people are killed in road accidents every day, and countless people are seriously injured and disabled. If the government does not reform road management despite all this, then this government will also be responsible for this state of the roads.”

Vice Chairman Syed Md. Jahangir also said, “If the interim government forms a commission and starts these works, then the next government will be forced to keep the works going when it comes to power. Otherwise, the current conditions on the roads will not stop.”