Safe Roads, Safe Country
National Road Safety Day is observed on October 22 to raise awareness about road accidents and promote safer travel. This year’s theme is “Safe Roads, Prosperous Country Bangladesh First.”
The day commemorates the death of Jahanara Kanchan, wife of actor Ilyas Kanchan, who died in a road accident on October 22, 1993. Following the tragedy, Ilyas Kanchan founded the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NISCHA) and launched a campaign for road safety. The government officially recognised the day in 2017.
Road accidents remain a major concern in Bangladesh. However, discrepancies in casualty figures highlight the need for reliable, coordinated data collection. Police records show 5,205 deaths in 2024, while non-governmental organisations reported more than 7,294. The reported death toll in 2025 was 7,359. Consistent data is essential for identifying risks and developing effective policies.
NISCHA has collected road accident data since 2012. In 2023, Ilyas Kanchan proposed establishing a coordinated data cell to improve information sharing among relevant agencies.
Major causes of accidents include speeding, reckless driving, untrained drivers, unfit vehicles, overloading, driver fatigue and poor road design. Inadequate pedestrian crossings and delays in emergency medical care also increase fatalities.
Road safety requires more than public awareness campaigns. The government must adopt a comprehensive Safe System Approach, ensuring that roads, vehicles and traffic management systems minimise the risk of serious injuries. Driver training, regular rest periods, effective vehicle inspections and safer road infrastructure are essential.
Countries such as Sweden, through its Vision Zero policy, and the Netherlands, through its Sustainable Safety approach, demonstrate the importance of long-term planning and shared responsibility.
Bangladesh needs stronger coordination among government agencies, reliable accident data, adequate funding and accountability. Sustained action, rather than occasional initiatives, is essential to reducing road deaths and protecting lives.
The responsibility for road safety rests with authorities, drivers, pedestrians and all road users. Building a safer country requires collective commitment and effective implementation of safety measures.
The author: Acting Chairman of NISCHA.
