ছবি: Photo: Collected
The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has reported 575 deaths and 875 injuries in 534 accidents across roads, railways, and waterways in October 2024. Of these, half resulted from vehicle collisions, a quarter from head-on crashes, and 15% from loss of control. Over 38% of accidents occurred on national highways, according to the association's press release on Saturday, November 23.
In comparison, September saw 554 deaths and 1,038 injuries in 547 similar accidents. The association highlighted that the number of motorcycles on Bangladesh’s roads has exceeded capacity, with over 5 million in operation. It also suggested limiting battery-operated rickshaws to rural areas. Motorcycles accounted for 34% of all fatalities, with 163 deaths.
Additionally, 63 rail accidents resulted in 76 deaths and 24 injuries, while 19 waterway incidents caused 24 deaths, 36 injuries, and left nine missing.
Of the 631 vehicles involved in October’s accidents:
- 24.41% were motorcycles,
- 22.50% were trucks, pickups, or covered vans,
- 18.54% were buses,
- 17.91% were battery-operated rickshaws or easy bikes.
Other types included CNG-run auto-rickshaws (3.96%), locally operated vehicles like Nasimon/Karimon/Mahindra (6.65%), and cars, jeeps, or microbuses (6%).
The analysis revealed that 49.48% of accidents involved vehicle collisions, 25.25% were head-on crashes, 14.77% were due to loss of control, and 9.51% were caused by other factors.
The association also identified several causes for the high accident rate:
- Lack of road signs and streetlights on national highways,
- Potholes caused by heavy rainfall,
- Absence of turning markers, which pose risks for new drivers,
- Reckless driving, unfit vehicles, and overloaded transport.
Mojammel Haque, Secretary General of the Passenger Welfare Association, criticized the reduced traffic police presence after the change in government, which led to increased traffic law violations. He emphasized the need to control the number of motorcycles on the roads and remove unauthorized vehicles to reduce fatalities and accidents.
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