Times24.net: According to the World Health Organization, approximately 19 people are killed per lac in road crushes, said Tanzid Mohammad Sohrab Reza, General Secretary of the Nirapad Sarak Andolon. He shared this information at a youth meeting titled “Road Safety Law”, organized by the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing, held on Tuesday (24 June) at 11:00 AM in Shyamoli, Dhaka.
Highlighting the necessity of a road safety law, he further stated that the existing Road Transport Act 2018 and the Road Transport Rules 2022 primarily address road transport operations and systems. These laws and regulations are not sufficient to ensure road safety. A dedicated “Road Safety Law” must be enacted to address all types of safety-related issues on the roads.
The session was moderated by Mr. Monoarul Islam, Advocacy Officer (Policy) of the Road Safety Project at Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Other speakers at the event were 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.
At the event, the young speakers stated that the existing Road Transport Act overlooks the safety of road users. They pointed out that the law lacks adequate provisions for the protection of pedestrians, cyclists, persons with disabilities, and children. Therefore, the youth are calling for a strong and comprehensive Road Safety Law.They further emphasized that this demand is aimed at ensuring road safety and improving the quality of life for everyone on the roads. The speakers also stressed that, as in the past, the youth must once again take the lead in drawing the attention of the government and political parties to the enactment and enforcement of a dedicated road safety law—especially since road crushes remain one of the leading causes of death among young people.
