Dhaka:The Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) has prepared a draft Road Safety Act 2026 that proposes significant measures to enhance road safety across Bangladesh. This draft law aims to provide mandatory free emergency treatment for road crash victims, offer legal immunity to good Samaritans, and introduce a demerit point system for traffic violations, along with double penalties for repeat offenders.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the draft law includes 15 chapters, 111 sections, and two schedules and is set to be presented to the cabinet for approval soon. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a comprehensive framework focusing on various aspects of road safety, including the prevention of road crashes, protection of vulnerable road users, and improvement of vehicle and road infrastructure safety.
The draft identifies road crashes as a leading cause of death among children and young people aged 5-29 in Bangladesh. It also cites World Bank estimates indicating that road crashes cause economic losses equivalent to around 5 percent of GDP in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) reported that 5,490 people were killed in road crashes in 2025, a number significantly lower than the World Health Organization's estimate of 31,578 annual fatalities.
In line with its commitment at an international ministerial conference on road safety in Marrakech, Morocco, in February 2025, Bangladesh has pledged to enact a comprehensive road safety law by 2027. The RTHD formed a committee to draft the legislation by reviewing international best practices and laws from other countries. The government has also announced plans to prepare a speed management manual and helmet-use guidelines by the end of the year.
The proposed law emphasizes safer roads and modern technology, suggesting that road networks and intersections be designed according to international standards. It also calls for pedestrian- and disability-friendly infrastructure and improved public transport access. Additionally, the draft proposes measures like installing speed measuring cameras and implementing an internationally recognized star-rating system for road safety.
Furthermore, the draft law addresses distracted driving by making activities such as using mobile phones, smoking, or listening to loud music while driving punishable offenses. It also mandates seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants and restricts children under 14 from sitting in the front row of vehicles. The draft proposes mandatory helmet use for motorcyclists and designated bicycle lanes where feasible.
A key feature of the draft is the provision of free emergency first aid for road crash victims during the "Golden Hour," aiming to improve survival chances. It also proposes legal protection for voluntary rescuers to encourage them to assist without fear of legal consequences.
The draft includes plans for an Integrated Central Database System for road crash information and a research fund to support road safety initiatives. It also highlights the necessity for a separate law to address road safety comprehensively, as further amendments to the Road Transport Act 2018 would not suffice. The enactment and effective implementation of this law are expected to shift Bangladesh's approach from primarily responding to crashes to preventing them.
Source Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha