Road safety concerns have intensified following the Eid-ul-Azha holiday period, with a new report revealing that 438 people lost their lives and 1,340 others were injured in 442 accidents across Bangladesh's roads, railways and waterways.
The findings were presented on Sunday by the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB) at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where the organisation warned that transport-related fatalities continue to rise despite repeated calls for reforms.
According to the report, road transport accounted for the overwhelming majority of casualties. A total of 394 road accidents killed 402 people and injured 1,294 others during the Eid travel period. Railway accidents claimed 23 lives and injured 30 people in 31 incidents, while 17 waterway accidents left 13 people dead and 16 injured.
PWAB Secretary General Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury said road accidents, deaths and injuries all increased compared to last year's Eid-ul-Azha period. Road crashes rose by 3.95 per cent, fatalities by 3.07 per cent and injuries by 9.47 per cent. During the corresponding period last year, 390 people were killed and 1,182 injured in 379 road accidents.
The report identified motorcycles as the most dangerous mode of transport during the holiday season. A total of 153 motorcycle accidents killed 159 people and injured 180 others, accounting for nearly 39 per cent of all road crashes recorded during Eid travel.
Among the victims were 80 drivers, 89 transport workers, 59 pedestrians, 64 women, 45 children and 66 students. Members of law enforcement agencies, as well as professionals including teachers, doctors, journalists and engineers, were also among those affected.
The association attributed the high accident toll to poor road conditions, potholes, reckless driving, traffic rule violations, inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of trained drivers. It also alleged that many drivers were forced to work long hours without sufficient rest, increasing the likelihood of crashes.
Analysis of accident patterns showed that head-on collisions accounted for 46.44 per cent of all accidents. Another 29.18 per cent involved vehicles striking pedestrians or other vehicles, while 17.25 per cent occurred after vehicles lost control and plunged into roadside ditches or embankments. Train-vehicle collisions accounted for 1.52 per cent of incidents.
The report further highlighted traffic congestion, weak enforcement, poor traffic management, unfit vehicles and inadequate rest facilities for drivers as major contributing factors. It also warned that competition among transport operators and pressure to maximise profits often encourage risky driving behaviour during major holidays.
PWAB urged the government, transport owners, law enforcement agencies and road users to work together to implement long-term road safety reforms, improve driver training, remove unfit vehicles and establish internationally recognised road safety corridors on national highways to prevent recurring tragedies during holiday travel seasons.
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