Ctg city corp urges safe driving at road safety stakeholder meeting

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) organised a stakeholder awareness meeting today (20 November) at the conference room of the Nagar Bhaban to commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and enhance road safety in the city.

The event was organised with technical support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and Vital Strategies. During the meeting, 25 CCC drivers were briefed on the importance of adhering to city speed limits to ensure road safety.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Ashraful Amin, CCC. Among the attendees were Assistant Commissioner Md Ruhul Amin Labu, Traffic North, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP); and Deputy Director KM Mahbub Kabir, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The meeting was moderated by Initiative Coordinator Labib Tazone of BIGRS Chattogram, while the keynote presentation was delivered by Technical Advisor Aminul Islam Sujon of Vital Strategies. Public Relations Officer Aziz Ahmed, CCC, delivered the welcome remarks.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Commissioner Md Ruhul Amin, CMP, said that uncontrolled speed is one of the leading causes of road crashes. He noted that the government has set maximum speed limits for different road and vehicle categories and urged transport drivers to strictly follow these regulations.

Deputy Director KM Mahbub Kabir, BRTA, said that more than 35,000 people have lost their lives on the roads between 2020 and 2025. He highlighted that BRTA has undertaken several initiatives to prevent deaths and injuries by making roads safer. Setting speed limits is among the major steps taken in this regard. He stressed the need for both drivers and road users to be aware of traffic laws to ensure safer roads.

Initiative Coordinator Labib Tazone, BIGRS, discussed the significance and theme of this year's observance. He said the day is observed to remember those killed or injured in road crashes, express solidarity with their families, and reinforce the commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.

Presenting the keynote paper, Technical Advisor Aminul Islam Sujon, Vital Strategies, said this year's theme is "Lost Talents". He noted that road crashes do not just claim lives, but also result in the loss of skills, ideas and potential contributions to society. Statistics show that most victims are young, working-age individuals who could have contributed significantly to their families and society. Their premature deaths rob not only their immediate families but also the nation of future creativity and productivity.

Road crash survivor Md Rubel, an autorickshaw driver who suffered permanent disability, shared his experience at the meeting. He said a speeding truck hit his rickshaw from behind in 2021 and dragged him 400–500 metres without stopping, leaving him unable to walk. He urged all drivers to maintain a controlled speed to prevent such tragedies.

The event also featured remarks from Manager Morshed Hasan Molla, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA); Enforcement Coordinator Md Helal Uddin; Communication Officer Mahamudul Hasan, BIGRS; and officials from various CCC departments and CCC drivers.