Road traffic crashes in Bangladesh are a significant social concern, with annual economic losses estimated at 1.5 to 2 percent of GDP. Official statistics report over 5,000 fatalities annually, while the WHO estimates the number to be as high as 31,000, highlighting severe safety issues with 19 deaths per 100,000 population.
Key road safety issues stem from areas including Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency Response, and legal frameworks. Behavioural risk factors contributing to injuries include speeding, drunk driving, and inadequate use of seatbelts and child restraints. Key legislative frameworks include the Road Transport Act (2018) and the Highways Act (2021); however, implementation remains inadequate.
Despite progress in other countries, traffic accidents in Bangladesh continue to rise due to insufficient enforcement and a lack of collaboration among stakeholders. Media coverage often fails to provide accurate, data-driven reports that promote safe driving practices.
The proposed interventions aim to engage policymakers and stakeholders in enhancing road safety legislation, aligning with the Global Framework Plan of Action for Road Safety and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This collaboration seeks to address key behavioural risk factors and advance road safety initiatives in Bangladesh.
Project Title: – Strengthening Road Safety Legislation on Key Behavioural Risk Factors in Bangladesh through Media Development
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication
Duration: November 2024- October 2025
Funded by: Global Road Safety Partnership
Total budget: CHF 63,908.00
Goal of the Project: Contribute to strengthening existing efforts of the stakeholders to identify legislative gaps and facilitate media dialogue for the development of a more comprehensive legal framework on key behavioural risk factors for safer roads & improve lives.
- Objectives, outcomes
- Six reputed media houses (print, electronic, online) commit space/time for road safety policies by July 2025
- Ten trained journalist fellows from 10 national-level media houses publish at least 40 in-depth/analytical reports to support the objectives of the Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh by September 2025
- Journalists trained by grantees establish a forum on the road safety issue by May 2025
OBJECTIVE 1. Six reputable media houses (print, electronic, and online) commit to dedicating space/time to road safety policies by July 2024.
Activity 1.1. Organise a planning meeting with the Executive Editor, News Editor, Chief Reporter, and other Media Actors
Activity 1.2. Develop draft guidelines for 12 Print, Electronic, and Online media outlets. The guidelines will help the media outlets to establish a dedicated space/time to publish/broadcast road safety-related content regularly.
Activity 1.3. Conduct a follow-up meeting with 12 media houses to finalise the guidelines
Activity 1.4. Organise quarterly meetings with Road Safety Assigned journalists. Each meeting will accommodate up to 6 people to ensure in-depth discussion and follow-up.
OBJECTIVE 2. Ten trained journalist fellows from 10 national-level media houses publish at least 40 in-depth/analytical reports to support the objectives of the Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh by September 2025
Activity 2.1. Develop a Training Module/Curriculum for Road Safety Journalism in Bangladesh. The module will be printed in 150 copies for use in road safety journalism trainings organised by BNNRC and other grantees.
Activity 2.2. Organise Training for 20 journalists in (Print, Electronic, and Online) Road Safety Journalism with a Safe System Approach for potential media houses.
Activity 2.3. Conduct a media fellowship for Policy and Legislation on Road Safety through constructive journalism. Ten journalists will be awarded a fellowship through a jury board selection process. Two mentors will supervise the 10 selected fellows.
Activity 2.4. Organise a day-long Fellowship Planning Workshop
Activity 2.5. Organise a follow-up workshop with Fellows after two months
Activity 2.6. Disseminate reports from the Fellows among policymakers and other stakeholders. Although the reports will be published/broadcast through popular media outlets, additional dissemination efforts will be undertaken to ensure that the attention of the key policy stakeholders is drawn.
Activity 2.7. Develop a Media Handbook for Road Safety Journalism (one handbook). Three hundred copies will be published and distributed.
OBJECTIVE 3. Journalists trained by Grantees will establish a forum on the road safety issue by March 2024
Activity 3.1. Organise a road-related message development workshop for coalition members’ communication personnel.
Activity 3.4. Support the Journalist Platform and support organising two issue-based consultations
Activity 3.5. Develop a dynamic website for the Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh.
About BNNRC
A Local Powerhouse with Global Reach!
The Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) specialises in approaches that leverage media and ICT, such as community radio broadcasting and ICT, to reach underserved communities. It has been implementing the UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) action line C1-C11 in Bangladesh since 2006. https://www.bnnrc.net
The BNNRC, in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and accredited by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the SDGs Media Compact of the United Nations, and the UN WSIS prize winner 2016, Champion 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023 for media development, ICT4D. This international recognition, a testament to our commitment and impact, is a source of pride and reassurance for our stakeholders.
BNNRC has strategically and confidently shifted its focus towards digital development, information integrity, and online spaces, delving deeper into digital Development and digital localisation since 2015. This strategic shift, a testament to our adaptability and forward-thinking, has opened new possibilities and opportunities for us to make a difference. It inspires hope for a more inclusive and digitally advanced future, demonstrating to our stakeholders that we are at the forefront of digital transformation.
Protiva Banerjee
Assistant Program Coordinator
Tel: +88 02 48116262 | +88 02 9101479 | +88 02 9138501
Cell: +880 1814847780
Hiren Pandit
Program Coordinator
Tel: +88 02 48116262 | +88 02 9101479 | +88 02 9138501
Cell: +880 17126311101
AHM Bazlur Rahman
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +88 02 48116262 | +88 02 9101479 | +88 02 9138501
Cell: +880 1711881647
Email: ceo@bnnrc.net