Improving Road Safety
in the OIC Member States
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The RSAPs provide a clear set of actions, linked to sub-sectors, providing a broad overview of
relevant road safety aspects. Having said so, some critical remarks on the RSAPs have beenmade
(M. Sohel Mahmud et al):
 The action plan is just the compilation of some activities of different organisations on road
safety or related issues. This plan is not prepared on the basis of priority needs to achieve a
certain goal.
 There is no monitoring mechanism nor has an organisation been assigned the task of
monitoring and evaluation.
 The RSAPs have no indication of the budgetary requirements and way of funding support.
 Though the RSAPs are prepared for a certain year, there is no timeframe to complete the
tasks and report the results. Some tasks are repeated in different sections of the RSAP.
In conclusion, the RSAP provides a basis for structuring actions across different sectors to
contribute to road safety in an integrated manner. In practice, there is room for improvement to
make the RSAPs more effective, i.e. by better coordinating actions and linking them to SMART
objectives; by monitoring and evaluating progress and results; by placing actions in a clearer
timeframe, where possible with priorities; and by linking funding requirements to the actions.
Road safety manuals and guidelines
Road safety manuals and guidelines are prepared at various levels:
 The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has prepared a number of manuals, including
the Guidelines for Road Safety Audit, Road Safety Improvement Works Manual, Road Safety
Users Guide, Road Geometric Design Manual, Police Training Handbook, Road Safety
Engineering Toolkit, Pavement Design Guide, Guidelines for Identification of Sites for Road
Safety Improvement Works, A Guide to Safer Road Design.
 The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has developed a Traffic Sign Manual.
 When visiting the Accident Research Institute (ARI) a recent Rural Road Safety Manual
(RRSM) was shown, including actions towards addressing hazardous situations and black
spots in rural roads, as well as options for solutions and implementation techniques. A
training manual for engineer titled “Road Safety Training Manual (RSTM) has also been
prepared by ARI, BUET. The manual that was reviewed by the contractor seemed to be of a
very practical nature, with ample of illustrations.
According to ARI, there have been issues related to manuals that are based on international
standards (prepared by international consultants).These manuals cannot be fully applied to the
local situation.
Road safety-related laws and regulations
According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety, there is a national speed limit law, national
drink-driving law and national motorcycle helmet law in force in Bangladesh. According to ARI,,
enforcement of these laws is poor. Current legislation does not adequately provide for
improving the wearing of seat belts and using child restraints. The national seat-belt and child