Road

The problem identified at the first stage was increased road accident, causing increased mortality and morbidity. Researches in India and Bangladesh have shown that at least half of families affected by a road death or serious injury fall below the poverty line. The poorest communities are the worst affected, in rich countries and developing countries alike (make roads safe campaign). Nearly 70% of road fatalities occurred in rural sections of the main highways as the metropolitan cities accounted for only about 20% (Hoque M.M.). Road accidents disproportionately affect the poor, making them more vulnerable to acute poverty. Many families are driven into acute poverty by the loss of a breadwinner or the added economic burden for a member disabled from road accident. Among the poor, 32 percent road deaths occur to head of households (compared to 21 percent non-poor). According to TRL over 70 percent of poor household reported that their household income and food consumption decrease after a road death in comparison to 57 percent for non-poor. Some 61 percent poor families are forced to arrange loan after road death in comparison to 34 percent non-poor. Among the children being killed and permanently disabled inroad accidents, the majority are from the poor families. (Hoque, MM). A recent study (published in 2004) on disability in Bangladesh reveals that 10 percent of the population are disable, of which 15 percent is caused due to accidents (Quazi M.)According to Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey (2005) report8, RTA is the second leading cause of fatal injury and the sixth leading cause of death in children 1-17 years. Also road collision is 4th leading cause of permanent disability for children in Bangladesh accounting for a...

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... control this man-made epidemic by implementing strategic programs that will effectively address such a major growing issue of road traffic accidents and injuries. Although some initiatives have been taken by the government and various non-government agencies, many of which are not fully effective for the causes of enormous constraints at different levels particularly for the lack of target oriented research based program. Indeed, an effective and integrated research program is fundamentally important and is seen as the basis of development and subsequent evaluation of a comprehensive road safety strategy.

The Litarature Review will discuss the world scenario on road safety and then deal with the needs of road safety research, constraints and fundamental requirements in Bangladesh. Magnitude of the road safety problems and some recent initiatives are also discussed.