Chattogram observes UN global road safety week with series of events

Chattogram marked the United Nations-declared Global Road Safety Week on Wednesday, May 28, with a range of activities under the global theme "Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe."

A coordination and planning meeting of the Policy Influence Group was held at the conference room of Bonjour Restaurant in GEC Mor, Chattogram. Organised under the "Strengthening Road Safety Act and Civil Society Action in Bangladesh" project, the session was led by Steps Steward Development and followed by a human chain demanding safer roads.

The meeting was presided over by Muhammad Musa Khan, president of the Policy Influence Group and a noted columnist. Shaheda Ferdousi Munni, Advocacy and Communication Coordinator of Steps, Dhaka, facilitated the session.

Distinguished guests included Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police Nesar Uddin, CAB Central Committee Vice-President S M Nazer Hossain, senior journalist M Nasirul Haque, and prominent women's rights advocate Jesmin Sultana Paru.

ISDE Project Officer Raisul Islam moderated the session. Key participants included Policy Influence Group Member Secretary and Chief Reporter of Dainik Purbodesh Abu Mosharraf Russell, CAB Chattogram Joint Secretary Mohammad Selim Jahangir, BNP leaders Advocate Farida Akhtar and Sayma Haque, former Chattogram City Corporation Councillor Jesmina Khanam, Farhana Akter, CAB Organising Secretary Jannatul Ferdous, CAB Sadarghat President Shahin Chowdhury, Sabujer Jatra Executive Director Sayera Begum, District Social Entrepreneurs Council Joint Secretary Mohammad Jane Alam, Professor Moktar Ahmed, Saidur Rahman Mintu, Youth CAB leader Lion Sajjad Uddin, Banglanews24.com representative Alrahan, Chattogram Scouts Regional Secretary Professor S M Shahnewaz Ali Mirza, Dainik Purbodesh Staff Reporter M A Hossain, Chattolar Kantho Editor Kamal Chakraborty, CAB Chandgaon's Ismail Faruqi, CSDF Coordinator Shampa K Nahar, and youth leaders Emdadul Islam and Tania Sultana.

Speakers noted that the concept of Global Road Safety Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly in March 2005 and formally adopted later that October. Since 2007, the UN has observed Road Safety Week globally to raise awareness around critical road safety issues. The 8th edition is being observed from May 12 to 18, 2023.

Highlighting the need for infrastructure that supports safe walking and cycling, speakers emphasised that these forms of transportation reduce accident risk while promoting physical well-being and sustainable mobility. According to global data, around 1.2 million people die in road crashes annually, with another 20 to 50 million injured, a significant proportion of whom are pedestrians and cyclists.

In Bangladesh, 567 road crashes in April 2025 alone resulted in 583 deaths. Motorcycles accounted for 37.91% of these, with 229 deaths and 224 injuries reported from 215 incidents.

Participants called for strict enforcement of traffic laws alongside awareness and educational campaigns. They expressed concern over the increasing number of unlicensed and unfit vehicles, including battery-powered rickshaws, on the roads, often due to lax enforcement. Raising public awareness and fostering a culture of safety among pedestrians and youth were identified as essential steps. The session concluded with the adoption of an annual action plan focused on regular advocacy with law enforcement and civic engagement.