South Asia has a road safety problem with fatal consequences. Although the region accounts for just 10% of the world's vehicles, it is responsible for 27% of global traffic-related deaths, according to the World Bank. From congested intersections in Dhaka to winding highways in Nepal, unsafe roads disproportionately endanger the most vulnerable: pedestrians, motorcyclists, women, and children.

To help address this crisis, a regional training initiative is equipping South Asian transport leaders with the tools and knowledge to implement meaningful change. The South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) Road Safety programme, supported by the Australian Government and delivered by Palladium in partnership with the University of Adelaide and the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR), provides senior officials with practical, systems-based training in modern road safety management.

The course, which concluded in June 2024, was part of SARIC, a wider initiative funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) aimed at strengthening economic ties across South Asia through energy and transport investments. Palladium leads SARIC's training and networking components, designing and delivering professional development courses and building a strong alumni network to support continued collaboration.

Seventeen senior executives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the recent course. Over two weeks, they explored global and regional road safety frameworks, safe systems principles, speed management, road engineering, vehicle safety, and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in transport policy. Delivered in collaboration with the University of Adelaide's Professional and Continuing Education and CASR, the curriculum emphasised both technical skills and broader socio-economic considerations in road safety.

"Employing a holistic approach to road safety management, this course marks an important step in bringing Australian expertise to the South Asian region, particularly in the areas of road safety engineering, road safety auditing, and advocacy," said Shivani Manaktala, Team Leader of SARIC Training and Networking Services.

Participants have already begun to apply their learning at home. Md. Jahirul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division at Bangladesh's Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, described the programme as transformative. "Upon our return, we held a debriefing with our top management, including our Secretary, to share the insights and strategies we gained during the two-week training in Australia. We’re committed to cascading this knowledge throughout our organisation to strengthen our road safety efforts."

Another alumnus, also from Bangladesh, is currently working on a road safety project in Dhaka in partnership with the World Bank. He credits the SARIC training with deepening his understanding of how to integrate a gendered lens into road safety initiatives and implement GEDSI principles in practice.

All SARIC alumni remain connected through a dynamic professional network that supports ongoing collaboration. A WhatsApp group with over 450 members from across all training cohorts facilitates real-time communication, while a dedicated LinkedIn page provides regular sector updates. DFAT Country Posts also play an active role in engaging alumni through infrastructure-related events and initiatives in their respective countries.

The programme’s success has been recognised internationally. Last year, Palladium received the Platinum award for 'Best Learning & Talent Development - Learning Impact (Industry Specific)' at the LearnX Live Awards, a global platform that honours excellence in learning and development. The award highlighted the SARIC Road Safety programme as a model for impactful, innovative training.

The training is set to run again in 2025. Organisers hope to expand participation across the public and private sectors, building on the momentum of the inaugural cohort and fostering even greater regional collaboration. By equipping professionals with the tools to implement safer infrastructure, influence policy and advocate for vulnerable users, the SARIC programme aims to make South Asian roads safer for everyone.