World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims Observed

Press Release, 17 November 2024 : “My well-structured and harmonious family has been plunged into severe trauma due to a road crash. My daughter tragically lost her life solely because of reckless competition among bus drivers. We had so many dreams for her, but everything ended in an instant.” These were the words of Saiful Alam, father of Tasnim Jahan, who was killed in a road crash on October 9 in Pragati Sarani.

He shared his painful experience during a discussion meeting held on Sunday (17 November 2024) to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Mr. Alam further stated that reckless competition among bus drivers is a primary cause of road crashes in Dhaka city. Urgent measures are needed to prevent such unsafe practices among drivers.

As in previous years, the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh commemorated the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, honoring those who lost their lives in road crashes. This year’s theme is: “Remember. Support. Act.”

The discussion was chaired by the Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Md. Yasin, and featured notable guests including the President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, Professor Khondkar Abdul Awal Rizvi, and the Country Coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Dr. Md. Shariful Alam.

Speakers at the meeting highlighted that globally, more than 1,000 children and young people under 30 die daily due to road crashes. In Bangladesh, approximately 14 people die every day in road crashes—deaths that are preventable. Following UN-prescribed safety strategies could help reduce these fatalities, they emphasized.

The speakers also called for the formulation of a comprehensive road safety law as part of the government’s ongoing reform initiatives.

Professor Rizvi, in his remarks, acknowledged that there are discrepancies in the reported number of road crash fatalities in Bangladesh, but the occurrence of preventable deaths is undeniable. He stressed the importance of implementing a road safety law aligned with UN-approved safety strategies, as is done in developed countries.

Dr. Shariful Alam added that addressing the issue requires acknowledging the reality of the situation. To stop the growing number of road deaths, accurate data on road crash fatalities must first be established. Hence, drafting a separate road safety law is essential.

In his concluding remarks, BRTA Chairman Md. Yasin emphasized the need for collective action to ensure road safety. Alongside law enforcement, awareness among all stakeholders is critical. He stated that BRTA has a positive outlook on the proposal for a separate road safety law in the current reform agenda.

Mohammad Wali Noman, Manager of the Road Safety and Injury Prevention Program at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, presented the keynote presentation on this year’s theme.

The discussion was attended by Iqbal Hossain, additional Director General of Highway Police, BRTA Road Safety Director Golam Mahbub E Rabbani, Professor Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman Bhuiyan, Director of the Road Safety and Injury Prevention Program, Dr. Ahmed Khairul Abrar, representatives of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners’ Association, the Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van Owners’ Association, members of the Bangladesh Road Safety Coalition, and journalists from various media outlets.