Bangladesh commits to halving road crash deaths by 2030

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its target to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from road accidents by 50 percent by 2030. The government has stated that it will strengthen legal reforms, technology-driven management and integrated road safety initiatives to achieve this goal.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabul Alam reiterated this commitment during a high-level meeting on road safety development at the United Nations headquarters on Monday (July 20). The information was disclosed in a press release issued in Dhaka on Tuesday (July 21).

The minister said that in line with the global plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030), Bangladesh is implementing various legal, policy and technology-driven initiatives. Work is underway to expand artificial intelligence (AI)-based speed control systems, ensure rapid emergency services after accidents and implement targeted safety measures on highways, especially to strengthen pedestrian safety.

Sheikh Rabul Alam said the government is committed to finalising, approving and enacting an integrated road safety law by December 2027, in light of the 'Safe System Approach' and international best practices.

Describing road safety as a national priority, he said strong political will, effective partnerships and collective responsibility from all stakeholders are needed to achieve the 2030 target. He also expressed Bangladesh's commitment to working closely with the international community to build a safe, sustainable and inclusive road system.

The Bangladesh delegation at the UN headquarters meeting is led by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabul Alam. The delegation also includes Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, and Project Director of the Bangladesh Road Safety Project Mohammad Shabbir Hasan Khan.

The Road Transport and Bridges Minister will co-chair a side event titled "Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Coordination in Road Safety: Sharing Best Practices and Experiences of Countries Successfully Reducing Road Traffic Fatalities and Injuries" at the UN headquarters on Tuesday.