The fourth UN Global Road Safety Week observes by BRAC
On 13 May, bus drivers and transport association leaders at the Mohakhali bus terminal took pledges to keep the speed of their vehicles below 30 kilometer per hour while passing schools, hospitals, residential areas and on roads with mixed traffic of non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians. A total of 5000 bus drivers, transport association leaders, operators and administrators are expected to take part in this week-long activity.
This is part of a campaign that was organized by BRAC on the eve of United Nation Global Road Safety Week 2017 which was observed during May 8 – 14 across the world. This year’s UN road safety campaign theme was “Save Lives – #SlowDown”.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) chairman Md Moshiar Rahman inaugurated the event, followed by a discussion on the significance of the week at the south plaza of National Parliament. Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mikael Hemniti Winther, Asian Injury Thailand chairperson Ratanawadee Winther, BRAC Road Safety programme’s director Ahmed Najmul Hussain and its advocacy programme’s director KAM Morshed, among others were also present.
This was followed by a motor cycle rally involving 200 bikers who carried colorful flags, placards and banners that boldly displayed UN’s campaign slogan. During the rally, they engaged with drivers of buses, cars and three-wheeler s to spread the message of slowing down speeds to prevent loss of lives.BRTA’s chairman said the high speed is the key reason behind deadly accidents. Safe speed of vehicles could help save hundreds of lives every year.
Winther said the campaign will draw the attention of the policy makers about the burning issues related to road safety and will develop simple, low-cost interventions to address these. He urged the drivers for going slow, saving lives of both others and themselves.
