Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Sadia Chowdhury

Photo from Activistar-Advocacy

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I am an experienced Transportation Specialist working at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges in Bangladesh. I deal with streamlining government efforts in creating sustainable urban transport systems in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. I am involved in a project called “Road Safety Management and Capacity Building Project” where I support the preparation of guidelines for the urban road safety audit, work zone safety, streetscapes, and pedestrian safety. I am also working on the assessment of the ‘Pedestrian Friendliness’ of hazardous intersections in Dhaka City where the weighted index is calculated to measure the Level of Service (LOS) of pedestrians. 

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field? 
I first recognized the road safety problem six years ago while I was doing my undergrad thesis on road safety. My research focused on accident-prone road intersections of Dhaka City. During the course of the study, I identified the conditions of accident-prone intersections and discussed the relationship between land use and the number of road accidents.

Photo from Benar News

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area? 
According to the dataset from the Accident Research Institute of Bangladesh, 63% of road crashes occurred in the non-intersection areas where more than 3600 road crashes occurred from 2007 until 2014. This is in my city. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable, accounting for 58% of the fatalities. Inadequate pedestrian facilities, inappropriate traffic management, and regulatory system make roads and modes of transportation more dangerous. 

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts? 
Young people have the inherent ability and creativity to think outside the box. Young leaders have the mindset and stamina to handle different endeavors as well as the power to mobilize resources and communities to move toward these efforts. Because of this, young people should be empowered and mobilized to take action for road safety.

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety? 
Being a fellow in the urban transportation sector, I think Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety will help me achieve international competence. Being a member will also help me develop a professional network of my desired sector and will enable me to learn more about road and the mobility sectors in terms of policy and advocacy.

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities? 
The Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety aims to save lives and reduce fatalities on the road. It focuses on increasing the number of young road safety leaders who will lead efforts in ensuring a safe, integrated, and sustainable mobility system. To do this, the Coalition empowers its members with support, capacity development, resources, opportunities, funding, and more.

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition? 
I would recommend joining this Coalition; it will surely increase the exposure and enthusiasm when it comes to working on road safety and other related goals.