Collective action needed to halve road deaths by 2030: Rabiul

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Wednesday called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to halve road deaths by 2030, stressing that road safety was a shared responsibility. He made the remarks at a discussion marking National Road Safety Day 2026 at the Roads and Highways Department auditorium in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Urging stakeholders to move beyond mutual blame, he said all concerned must work together to ensure discipline on roads and safer journeys. “We are not opponents of one another; our common responsibility is to ensure road safety,” he said, calling for practical action rather than formalities.
The minister stressed the need for reliable data on road crashes, deaths and injuries to guide effective prevention measures. He also highlighted responsible driving, professional skills and vehicle fitness, urging transport owners to recruit qualified drivers and ensure proper training.
He said driver shortages could not justify employing unskilled drivers or operating unfit vehicles. Driving licences could be issued to candidates recommended by transport owners only after the required tests and verification, he added.
The government has taken steps to control vehicle speeds, enforce helmet rules and address risks at accident-prone locations, including with World Bank support. Measures are also under way to reduce crashes at intersections where regional roads meet highways. Rabiul said the government was working towards enacting a comprehensive road safety law by December 2027. He urged law enforcement agencies to act against reckless driving and unfit vehicles, while calling on drivers, passengers and transport owners to obey traffic rules and prevent encroachment on roads and footpaths.
He reiterated that halving road deaths and injuries by 2030 would require stronger enforcement, skilled drivers and coordinated action. State Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Railways Habibur Rashid, parliamentary standing committee chairmen Rakibul Islam and Md Shamshur Rahman Shimul Biswas attended the event as special guests.