Abu Momtaz Sad Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), has said the government is actively working to protect children and young people aged 5 to 29. He warned that failure to ensure their safety could result in the country losing its demographic dividend after 2040.
He made the remarks on Sunday (November 16) at a dialogue session held at the BRTA headquarters in Banani, organized by the authority in collaboration with the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The BRTA chairman added that under the Safe System Approach, vehicle fitness procedures are being automated to ensure safer transport. Additionally, drivers must undergo 60 hours of training to become qualified, and no licenses will be issued without completing this training.
Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury emphasized the distinction between road crashes and accidents, noting that crashes are preventable while accidents are not. He stressed the need for a comprehensive road safety law, as existing transport laws regulate operations but do not ensure safety.
The Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh, represented by the National Heart Foundation, organizes the World Day of Remembrance annually to honor victims of road crashes. This year’s theme, Remember, Support, Act, highlights remembering those who have died, supporting the injured, and taking effective action to save lives.
Among the attendees were Professor Khandakar Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, and Dr. Md. Shariful Alam, Country Coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.
