Ensure benefits of road safety spending: Sheikh Rabiul Alam

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a workshop on institutional capacity and efficiency development in road safety and road maintenance, organized by the Roads and Highways Department at a hotel in the capital on Monday.

The minister said that although one project after another is being taken up with funding from international organizations, the knowledge and experience gained from those projects must be applied in practice. Otherwise, seminars and workshops will remain limited to formalities.

Sheikh Rabiul Alam emphasized identifying accident-prone areas, analyzing the causes of accidents, and making decisions based on data and information. He called for using accident data in future road construction and major project planning.

Urging that roads be considered a national asset, the minister said road safety and maintenance must be given importance from the time of construction itself. Rather than repairing roads after they have been severely damaged, maintenance arrangements must be made beforehand.

He also highlighted the need to form a specialized division of police for road safety. In addition, he emphasized producing skilled drivers, ensuring vehicle fitness, controlling speed, ensuring motorcycle riders use helmets, and raising public awareness.

The minister said that around five thousand people lose their lives in road accidents every year. Loss of life due to anyone's irresponsibility or negligence cannot be accepted. He urged all concerned to play a responsible role in achieving the target of halving road accident deaths by 2030.

He further said that the government has a target of enacting a comprehensive road safety law by December 2027.

At the workshop, State Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Railway Habibur Rashid said road safety is not only an engineering issue; it is also linked to public health, social and economic development. He stressed increasing institutional capacity and coordination among all relevant parties in road safety management.

Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, emphasized making the accident information management system effective, regularly incorporating updated guidelines into work, and ensuring continuous skill development of officers and employees.

Representatives from the Asian Development Bank, Economic Relations Division, Planning Commission, Finance Division, Roads and Highways Department, development partner organizations, consulting firms, and the media participated in the workshop.