Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Sunday stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure road safety, saying government initiatives alone are not enough to curb accidents.
"Ensuring safe roads requires not only government initiatives but also public awareness and social movements," he said during a meeting with a delegation of Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa) at his office at the Secretariat here.
During the meeting, the two sides held detailed discussions on the prevailing road safety situation in the country, measures to reduce accidents and ways to enhance public awareness.
The minister said that the government has already undertaken multidimensional initiatives to prevent road accidents, including development of road infrastructure, introduction of modern traffic management systems on highways, strengthening driver training and enforcing laws more effectively.
"Ensuring safe roads requires not only government initiatives but also public awareness and social movements," he said.
Rabiul added that awareness programs in educational institutions, media campaigns and active participation of social organizations could play a vital role in strengthening road safety.
Praising the activities of Nischa, the minister said the organization’s long-standing movement and awareness campaigns have created a positive impact on public mindset.
The Nischa delegation, in turn, appreciated the government's initiatives, particularly the minister's sincere efforts in improving road safety.
They underscored the need for coordinated measures, including speed control on highways, drives against unfit vehicles, improved driver training, mandatory road safety education in educational institutions and identification of accident-prone areas to raise awareness.
The minister assured that the proposals put forward by the delegation would be considered with importance and said he would instruct the relevant authorities to take necessary steps.
"If we all work together, it is possible to restore discipline on roads and significantly reduce accidents," he added.
Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening joint initiatives on road safety in the future.
