Collective efforts a must to ensure road safety: Minister

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said on Wednesday that the government is working to halve the number of deaths and injuries caused by road accidents by 2030.

To achieve this goal, the government, transport owners, workers, drivers, passengers, law enforcement agencies and relevant experts must work together and fulfil their respective responsibilities, he said.

“Moving away from a culture of mutual blame, everyone must play an effective role in establishing discipline on roads and ensuring safe travel,” he added.

The minister was speaking at a discussion marking National Road Safety Day 2026 at the auditorium of the Roads and Highways Department in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

Stressing that ensuring road safety is not the responsibility of any single institution or group, Rabiul Alam said mutual cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders in the transport sector must be strengthened.

Rather than limiting activities to formalities, the actual problems must be identified and addressed through collective efforts, he added.

Urging all stakeholders to work more closely together, the minister said, “We are not opponents of one another; ensuring road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

Highlighting the importance of drivers' skills and awareness, he said responsible behaviour, driving skills and vehicle fitness are crucial to reducing road accidents. 

“Transport owners must therefore play a more active role in training drivers, enhancing their skills, promoting responsible behaviour and recruiting qualified drivers.”

Outlining the government's ongoing initiatives to improve road safety, Rabiul said various measures have been taken to control vehicle speeds, implement helmet-use regulations, identify accident-prone locations and reduce risks at those sites.

“Work is under way, with support from the World Bank, to mitigate risks in accident-prone areas. Measures are also being taken to reduce accidents at intersections where regional roads connect with highways,” he said.

The government is also working towards enacting an integrated road safety law by December 2027, he added.