Ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections, young people have called on political parties to include a commitment to ensure road safety in their election manifestos.
The demand was made during a youth march and candlelight vigil held on Sunday afternoon at the road in front of Shyamoli Maidan in Dhaka. The event was organized by the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Students and youth participants highlighted the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
Speaking at the event, participants said that daily road accidents in Bangladesh have reached alarming levels, resembling a public health crisis. Young people are among the most vulnerable road users, with road crashes being a leading cause of death in this age group. They emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive and effective road safety management system to prevent further loss of life. They urged political parties to pledge the enactment and proper implementation of a road safety law in their election manifestos.
Nearly fifty youth, along with accident survivors and their family members, participated in the candlelight vigil. Representatives from the health sector of Ahsania Mission also attended. The participants demanded the enactment of a strong road safety law to halve the number of deaths and injuries caused by traffic accidents in the country.
Earlier, from 12 noon to 4 pm, a workshop on the “Safe System Approach” and road safety was held for youth, with around fifty students taking part.
