Urgent Need for Road Safety Act in Dhaka to Save Lives and Ease Traffic Congestion

Strategic Insights -

Speakers at the inaugural session of a Youth Campaign organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission to mark the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week emphasized the need for a dedicated Road Safety Act in Dhaka to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 50 percent of annual road crash fatalities globally involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Experts believe that walking and cycling could significantly ease Dhaka's traffic congestion, which causes the daily loss of valuable working hours. Sharmeen Rahman, Road Safety Project Coordinator of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, stressed the importance of safe infrastructure and a dedicated Road Safety Act in promoting walking and cycling in Dhaka. Neelima Akhter, executive director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), noted that walking and cycling not only benefit health but also contribute to a healthier environment and reduce medical expenses and road crashes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 50 percent of annual road crash fatalities globally involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Dhaka's traffic congestion causes the daily loss of valuable working hours, and walking and cycling could significantly ease this congestion, experts say.
  • Sharmeen Rahman, Road Safety Project Coordinator of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, emphasized the need for safe infrastructure and a dedicated Road Safety Act in Dhaka.
  • Neelima Akhter, executive director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), noted that walking and cycling benefit health, contribute to a healthier environment, and reduce medical expenses and road crashes.
  • The government's strategic plans must prioritize a walkable and bicycle-friendly environment, according to Professor Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
  • Youth leaders demanded the formulation of a Road Safety Act during the event to ensure safer roads for all.

Statistics:

  • Over 50 percent of annual road crash fatalities globally involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Dhaka's traffic congestion causes the daily loss of valuable working hours, according to experts.
  • Eighty percent of road crashes in Bangladesh occur in urban areas, according to a report by Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
  • Road crashes in Bangladesh cause an estimated loss of $2.5 million each year, according to the World Bank (World Bank, 2018).

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Road safety.
  • Dhaka Ahsania Mission. (n.d.). Road Safety Project.
  • World Bank. (2018). Costs of road crashes in Bangladesh.