The draft Road Safety Act 2026 proposes mandatory free emergency treatment for road crash victims, legal immunity for good Samaritans (helpful, compassionate persons who assist a stranger in need), a demerit point system for traffic violations and double penalties for repeat offenders.
Prepared by the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD), the proposed law seeks to establish a comprehensive framework to prevent road crashes, protect vulnerable road users, improve vehicle and road infrastructure safety and ensure prompt medical care for crash victims.
The draft contains 15 chapters, 111 sections and two schedules.
“We have prepared the draft of the law, which will be placed before the cabinet for approval soon,” BRTA Establishment Section Deputy Secretary Al-Ameen Md Nurul Islam told BSS ahead of Road Safety Day 2026.
Road crashes claim thousands of lives
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road crashes claim around 31,578 lives annually in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) data, however, show that 5,490 people were killed in road crashes in 2025 – nearly six times fewer than the WHO estimate.
The draft identifies road crashes as a leading cause of death among children and young people aged 5-29.
Citing World Bank estimates, it says road crashes cause economic losses equivalent to around 5 percent of GDP in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh.
Commitment to comprehensive law by 2027
Bangladesh pledged at an international ministerial conference on road safety in Marrakech, Morocco, in February 2025 to enact a comprehensive road safety law by 2027, in line with the global Safe System Approach.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam reiterated the commitment at a UN high-level meeting on road safety at the UN Headquarters in New York on July 20-21 this year.
Following the commitment, the RTHD formed a committee to draft the legislation after reviewing international best practices and laws of other countries.
At an event on October 14, the minister again said the government was working sincerely to enact the law by 2027.
The government has also announced plans to prepare a speed management manual and helmet-use guidelines by this year.
Safer roads and modern technology
The proposed law calls for road networks and intersections to be designed according to international standards, better integration among transport modes and regular identification and correction of crash-prone locations or “black spots”.
It proposes pedestrian- and disability-friendly infrastructure, including adequate footpaths and footbridges with ramps or lifts and safe refuge islands. Public transport operators would also be required to facilitate access for women, pregnant women, children, older people and persons with disabilities.
For speed management and traffic control, the draft proposes installing speed measuring cameras, speed humps, rumble strips and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). It also provides for an internationally recognised star-rating system for road safety, along with safety audits and inspections from planning and design through implementation.
Distracted driving, child safety
According to the draft law, using mobile phones or similar devices, smoking, eating or listening to music at high volume while driving would be punishable offences. Passengers would also be prohibited from engaging in activities that distract drivers.
Seatbelt use would be mandatory for drivers and passengers. Children under 14 years of age or shorter than 135 centimetres would be barred from sitting in the front row and would have to use appropriate restraint systems.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs would be strictly prohibited. Police and authorised officials could conduct breathalyser tests or laboratory examinations where necessary.
Mandatory helmets
The draft proposes mandatory use of BSTI-approved standard helmets by both motorcycle riders and passengers. Children below six years would be prohibited from travelling as motorcycle passengers.
It also proposes designated bicycle lanes where road conditions permit and mandatory helmets and other protective equipment for cyclists.
Pedestrians would be required to use available footpaths and cross roads at designated points, including marked crossings and safe refuge islands.
Demerit points, tougher repeat penalties
The proposed demerit point system would automatically deduct points from driving licences for traffic violations, with accumulation of a specified number of points potentially resulting in licence cancellation.
The draft also proposes doubling the maximum prescribed penalty when the same offence is committed by the same person for a second or subsequent time.
Under proposed Section 74, a pedestrian failing to use a footpath would face a fine of up to Taka 1,000 for the first offence.
Free emergency care during ‘Golden Hour’
A major feature of the draft is mandatory free emergency first aid for road crash victims during the critical period immediately after a crash, commonly known as the “Golden Hour”.
The draft identifies the lack of sufficiently strict and mandatory provisions requiring hospitals and clinics to provide immediate emergency treatment without advance payment or ticketing as a major gap in the existing legal framework.
It, therefore, seeks to create a legal obligation for healthcare facilities to provide free emergency first aid during this critical period, potentially improving victims’ chances of survival.
Legal protection for voluntary rescuers
Recognising that fears of police harassment, criminal charges and court proceedings often deter ordinary citizens from rescuing crash victims, the draft proposes complete civil and criminal immunity for voluntary rescuers.
The protection for “good Samaritans” is intended to encourage people to come forward to save lives without fear of legal repercussions.
Central database, research fund
The draft proposes an Integrated Central Database System to collect, analyse, publish and preserve road crash information in line with international standards. An authority would coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure regular and consistent crash-data collection.
It also provides for a research fund to support scientific studies, improve data-collection methods and finance road safety initiatives.
The proposed law further covers driver training, public awareness, public and freight transport safety, crash investigation, post-crash medical expenses and passenger insurance.
Its two schedules address post-crash services and the operation of motor vehicles after consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
Why a separate law
The draft says further amendments to the Road Transport Act 2018 would not adequately address issues such as road engineering, vehicle standards, speed management, pedestrian protection, emergency medical services, research and inter-agency coordination.
It, therefore, proposes a separate comprehensive Road Safety Act in line with the global Safe System Approach.
Enactment and effective implementation of the new law are expected to shift Bangladesh’s approach from primarily responding to crashes after they occur towards preventing them.
