13 August 2014, Dhaka. The research report titled ‘Road Safety in Bangladesh: Realities and Challenges’ was unveiled on 13th August 2014, the third death anniversary of the veteran journalist Mishuk Muneer and film-maker Tareque Masud. Power and Participation Research Center (PPRC) conducted the research funded by BRAC.  The launching event was jointly organised by PPRC and BRAC on Wednesday, at the capital’s Daily Star auditorium.

Executive Director of PPRC, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, gave the keynote presentation on the research findings. The research reveals important data and information, presenting a comprehensive scenario of the country's road safety reality. According to the analysis of the report, five districts – Dhaka, Chittagong, Comilla, Tangail and Sirajganj are most vulnerable to traffic accidents.

The report makes nine recommendations to reduce deaths and injuries by traffic accidents. Among the recommendations, the major ones are to enact the Road Transport and Traffic Act 2011 after comprehensive review of the draft; regular updating of accident-prone spots and taking an initiative to remove the problems immediately; improve road engineering; promote quality driving schools; undertake mass awareness-raising initiatives through involving the government agencies, civil society organisations and NGOs; and introduce a separate code in the national budget for road safety and involve donors to fund road safety projects.

Obaidul Quader, Minister of Communications, attended the event as a chief guest and Asif Saleh, Senior Director, BRAC, chaired the event. Among the attendees, Barrister Sarah Hossain, BRAC’s road safety programme director Ahmed Najmul Hossain, Ilias Kanchon from Nirapad Sharak Chai, editor of the Daily Star Mahfuz Anam were present.
 
Read the report online or download
Read the report presentation online or download