Road crashes in Bangladesh continue to claim numerous lives each year, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures. Recent data reveals that in July alone, 416 individuals lost their lives and 629 others sustained injuries in 458 road accidents across the country. Moreover, statistics from the Road Safety Foundation indicate that from 2020 to July 2026, Dhaka witnessed 1,384 fatalities and 2,488 injuries in 1,849 road collisions. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority reported a record-high of 5,490 road fatalities in 2025. However, the World Health Organization asserts that official figures likely underestimate the true impact of road traffic fatalities, emphasizing the necessity for improved crash data systems and more robust road safety policies.
Despite Bangladesh’s efforts to enhance road safety, the persistently high number of deaths and injuries necessitates a shift towards a new approach. While enforcement of traffic regulations is crucial, it is insufficient on its own. The country should adopt a “Safe system” approach to road safety, which acknowledges human fallibility and aims to prevent fatal outcomes from common errors. Central to this approach is the concept of “forgiving roads,” which are designed to mitigate the consequences of human mistakes through effective engineering and design solutions.
Forgiving roads in Bangladesh would encompass various safety features such as median barriers on highways to prevent head-on collisions, safe pedestrian crossings near key areas, traffic-calming measures in urban zones, dedicated facilities for cyclists, enhanced lighting, clear road markings, and environments that reduce crash severity. Additionally, speed limits would be tailored to road functions and user vulnerability, with every road project undergoing a thorough safety audit before opening to the public.
The World Health Organization’s road safety profile for Bangladesh highlights the need for a comprehensive national framework mandating consistent adherence to technical safety standards for all road users. A modern road safety law should enforce safe road design, systematic safety assessments, and shared accountability among various stakeholders. Such legislation should prioritize safety in road infrastructure projects, conduct independent crash investigations to identify systemic failures, protect vulnerable road users, set clear national targets for reducing fatalities and injuries, and ensure transparent progress reporting.
Beyond the humanitarian aspect, there is a compelling economic rationale for road safety reforms. Road crashes incur substantial costs in terms of lost productivity, healthcare expenses, emergency response, and disability, underscoring the importance of investing in safer roads as a means of promoting public health, economic prosperity, and societal advancement.
Each road fatality represents a profound loss, affecting families and communities in irreversible ways. Bangladesh faces a critical juncture where proactive measures must be taken to prevent tragedies rather than merely reacting to them. The enactment of a comprehensive road safety law that mandates forgiving roads as a standard is imperative to safeguard lives and prioritize human well-being over vehicular efficiency.
Tamanna Mizan, a senior communication officer at the Road Safety Program at Brac, emphasizes the importance of reshaping road safety laws and infrastructure to prioritize human life over speed and convenience.
