- Despite a 5% decrease since 2010, there are still 1.19 million annual road traffic fatalities worldwide
- Every minute, over 2 deaths occur, totaling 3,200 fatalities daily worldwide
- Road traffic crashes top the list as the primary cause of death for individuals aged 5–29
- In Bangladesh, 67% of victims are aged 15 to 64, with a heightened risk among those aged 15 to 49
- Roads exhibit inadequate safety standards, with 80% lacking pedestrian safety measures and negligible provision for cycle lanes
The latest World Health Organization (WHO) report on global road safety for 2023 paints a complex picture of achievements and persisting challenges. While there’s been a 5% reduction in annual road traffic deaths since 2010, with figures now standing at 1.19 million, the gravity of the situation remains stark—over 2 deaths per minute and a staggering 3,200 fatalities per day continue to haunt the roads worldwide. Most alarming is the harsh reality that road traffic crashes continue to claim the lives of children and youth aged 5–29 years, positioning it as the leading cause of death within this demographic.
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WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledges the positive trajectory of declining road crash deaths. However, he highlights the glaring inadequacy of this progress, emphasizing the preventable nature of the carnage on roads.
The World Health Organization’s global report estimates that 1.3 million people die in road accidents worldwide every year, with 24,954 fatalities reported in Bangladesh. A majority of these victims, approximately 67%, are aged between 15 and 64, with those between 15 and 49 years facing the highest risk of death.
On April 9 (2023), Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader provided various directives to ensure the safe and uninterrupted travel of passengers on roads and highways.
“Our primary challenge lies in maintaining discipline. Regrettably, we’ve struggled to instill discipline on the roads and within the transportation sector. Our most significant hurdle is enforcing discipline. With better adherence to rules, we can diminish traffic congestion and lower the frequency of accidents,” said Obaidul Quader.
Sustainable development goals for road safety
There are two targets that specifically address road safety: SDG target 3.6 on halving the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes; and SDG target 11.2 on providing access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems as well as improve road safety for all.
Road Safety in Bangladesh
Recent data from the Bangladesh Jatri Kallayn Samiti unveils a grim reality—approximately 25,000 lives are lost annually in road accidents within Bangladesh. This equates to an average of 64 daily fatalities, with a significant 51% of victims being earners, shedding light on the economic repercussions of these tragedies. The World Health Organization estimates that these accidents account for a substantial 5.3% loss in Bangladesh’s GDP.
In efforts to combat this alarming trend, the Bangladesh Jatry Kallayn Samiti advocates for the implementation of an e-traffic system, projecting an 80% potential reduction in road accidents with its introduction.
Tragically, beyond the lives lost, road accidents also leave hundreds of thousands injured annually, with about 80,000 sustaining disabilities, including over 12,000 children under 17 years old.
“The tragic tally of road crash deaths is heading in the right direction, downwards, but nowhere near fast enough,” says WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
The World Health Organization’s global report highlights the severity of the situation, citing 24,954 fatalities in Bangladesh. The majority of victims, around 67%, fall within the 15 to 64 age brackets, with those aged 15 to 49 facing the highest risk of death.
The Bangladesh Jatry Kallayan Samiti urgently calls for action to implement government road safety initiatives. They emphasize the pivotal role of implementing an e-traffic system, swift resolution of accident cases, and the necessity for nationwide CCTV installations and clear guidelines for drivers’ working conditions and salaries to achieve improved road safety.
Steps Taken by Govt to Ensure Road Safety
On June 14, 2023, the Bangladesh government launched the first dedicated Road Safety Project in South Asia, receiving approval from ECNEC. With backing of $358 million from the World Bank, the project spans from 2023 to 2028, concentrating on selected cities, high-risk highways, and district roads. The initiative targets a 30% reduction in road traffic deaths and aims to enhance safety over 5,000 kilometers of highways.
Notably, the Dhaka-Aricha Highway and Dhaka-Mawa Expressway currently feature dedicated slow lanes for slower vehicles, minimizing the risk of high-speed accidents.
The Bangladesh government has taken several steps to ensure road safety, including:
Road Safety Projects: Launching dedicated projects, such as the Road Safety Project in South Asia, aimed at improving road infrastructure, installing safety features, and reducing traffic fatalities.
Legislation and Policies: Implementing and enforcing laws related to road safety, including regulations for speeding, seatbelt use, helmet laws, and other safety measures.
Infrastructure Development: Developing Road infrastructure by installing road signs, dividers, footpaths, zebra crossings, speed breakers, and dedicated lanes for slower vehicles to minimize accidents.
Collaboration and Implementation: Partnering with relevant departments and organizations like the Roads and Highways Department, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Bangladesh Police, and Directorate General of Health Services to ensure effective implementation of safety measures.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness programs and campaigns to educate the public about road safety practices, including safe driving, pedestrian safety, and adherence to traffic rules.
Project Expansion: Expanding safety projects and initiatives to cover more cities, high-risk highways, and district roads to address road safety concerns comprehensively.
Vulnerable Road Users at Risk
Geographically, the burden of road traffic fatalities is distributed unevenly, with significant disparities across regions. The report delineates that 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, despite possessing a mere 1% of the world’s motor vehicles. The risk of death is notably three times higher in low-income countries compared to their affluent counterparts, underscoring an urgent need for equitable road safety measures.
A striking revelation emerges in the statistics: vulnerable road users account for a staggering 53% of all road traffic fatalities. Pedestrians, motorcycle riders, cyclists, and users of micro-mobility devices face a disproportionately high risk of death. Shockingly, pedestrian deaths rose by 3% to 274,000 between 2010 and 2021, while cyclist fatalities surged by almost 20% to 71,000. The lack of adequate safety standards on roads, with 80% failing to meet pedestrian safety requirements and negligible cycle lanes, dangerously exposes these users.
Call for better standards and policies
The report highlights a concerning lack of advancement in enforcing laws and safety standards. Only six countries align with WHO best practices for all risk factors related to road safety (such as speeding, drink-driving, and the use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts, and child restraints). Conversely, 140 countries, representing two-thirds of UN Member States, have implemented such laws for at least one of these risk factors. Notably, 23 nations adjusted their laws to meet WHO best practices since the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018.
Despite the global motor-vehicle fleet projected to double by 2030, merely 35 countries—less than a fifth of UN Member States—have legislation covering all essential vehicle safety features, like advanced braking systems and comprehensive impact protection for the front and sides. Additionally, the report uncovers substantial gaps in ensuring safe road infrastructure, as only 51 countries—just a quarter of UN Member States—have laws mandating safety inspections that encompass all road users.
