The origin of Road Safety Movement is deeply rooted in an unforgettable chapter of Bangladesh’s social activism. On July 29, 2018, the tragic death of two school students in a reckless bus accident on Dhaka’s Airport Road shook the nation to its core. The incident sparked intense outrage among the youth and quickly transformed into an unprecedented mass movement. Thousands of students from schools, colleges, and universities took to the streets, demanding safer roads and a disciplined transport system.

What made this movement unique was that it was not driven by political interest, but entirely by public concern. Students symbolically controlled traffic with their own hands, presenting an image of discipline that astonished the entire nation. Ordinary citizens stood in solidarity with the students, while the issue gained international attention through widespread media coverage. The movement demonstrated that young people are the most powerful driving force for social change.

Yet, the movement was not merely an explosion of anger; it carried a profound message—that Bangladesh’s road transport system was plagued by mismanagement, corruption, and lack of accountability. The students demanded safer roads, proper licensing and registration of drivers and vehicles, strict enforcement of traffic laws, and the elimination of irregularities in the transport sector. As the protests intensified, the movement evolved from a student-driven uprising into a national issue.

During those historic days, the remarkable example of discipline and order established by the students on Dhaka’s streets gave birth to new hopes across society. They proved that with determination, it was indeed possible to build a disciplined road system. Although some policy reforms were initiated in response to the protests, their implementation fell short. It became clear that a permanent, institutional platform was necessary to carry forward the students’ demands in the long run.

It was in this context that the Road Safety Movement was established. It is not merely an organization, but rather a platform that carries the legacy of the 2018 Students’ Movement. Through this institution, the lessons and aspirations of that historic struggle have been institutionalized, ensuring that the call for safe roads is not reduced to a fleeting moment of emotion but transformed into a lasting social commitment. Today, Road Safety Movement continues to pursue that commitment—to realize the students’ vision of a safe, accountable, and humane road transport system in Bangladesh.