ঢাকামঙ্গলবার , ৪ অগাস্ট ২০২৬
According to the Asian Transport Observatory Bangladesh Road Safety Profile 2025, Bangladesh has a high rate of road fatalities (about 67) per thousand kilometers of road. Bangladesh faces a significant challenge with road crash fatalities. While official statistics report lower figures, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 31,578 people die in road crashes every year in Bangladesh.
This information was presented by Sharmeen Rahman, Road Safety Project Coordinator of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, during her keynote presentation at a discussion meeting titled “The Role of Media in Ensuring Road Safety”, with the theme: “Formulation and Implementation of Speed Limit Guideline Manual for reducing speed related crashes.” The event was organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission and held on Wednesday (April 29) at 11:30 AM at the Health Sector conference room of the organization in Shyamoli, Dhaka.
Sharmeen Rahman stated that nearly 54 percent of road crash deaths worldwide are linked to excessive speeding. In Bangladesh, over-speeding and reckless driving remain among the leading causes of road crashes. Analysis of police data from 1998 to 2016 shows that approximately 82 percent of road crashes occurred due to excessive speed and reckless driving.
She further noted that more than 50 percent of road crash victims are pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, who are most vulnerable to high-speed crashes.
The event was moderated by Shuvro Dev, Senior Reporter of Daily Manabzamin. Speakers at the event included Abdullah Al Mamun, Acting Editor of Daily Bhorer Awaj; Jamiul Ahsan Shipu, Senior Reporter of The Daily Ittefaq; Sirajul Islam, Crime In-Charge of Daily Jugantor; Abdul Gaffar, Senior Reporter of Jaijaidin; Jasim Uddin, Chief of Crime and Urban Affairs at Dhaka Post; and Md. Tofazzal Hossain Kamal, Special Correspondent of Protidiner Bangladesh. The vote of thanks was delivered by Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Health Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
Highlighting the global road crash situation, speakers referred to the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2021, which states that nearly 1.19 million people died in road crashes worldwide in 2021. Of these, 92 percent of deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of total fatalities involved working-age people between 18 and 59 years old. Road crashes are currently the first leading cause of death for the young people aged 5 to 29 years.
To reduce road crashes and fatalities, the speakers made the following recommendations: 1) Formulate and implement an effective guideline/manual for vehicle speed management. 2) Ensure strict monitoring and enforcement by law enforcement agencies. 3) Mandatory speed governor seals in vehicles to prevent over-speeding. 4) Expedite the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive road safety law to ensure safer roads for all.
