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Road safety crisis deepens as fatalities cross 400 in April
Road accidents across Bangladesh killed 404 people and injured 709 others in April, according to a monthly report by the Road Safety Foundation, highlighting persistent safety concerns on the country’s roads.
The report documented 463 road crashes during the month. Among the deceased were 53 women and 48 children.
Motorcycles remained the deadliest mode of transport, with 142 crashes causing 113 deaths, accounting for 27.97 percent of total fatalities.
Pedestrians were also heavily affected, with 102 deaths, representing 25.24 percent of total fatalities. In addition, 46 drivers and helpers were killed, making up 11.38 percent.
In the capital Dhaka, 36 road accidents resulted in 24 deaths and 67 injuries.
The analysis shows that 41.68 percent of accidents occurred on regional roads, while 36.28 percent took place on national highways.
Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of accidents (109) and fatalities (102), while Sylhet Division had the lowest with 12 accidents and 12 deaths.
Loss of vehicle control was the leading cause, responsible for 194 accidents (41.90 percent). Head-on collisions caused 97 crashes (20.95 percent).
Motorcyclists and passengers accounted for the highest number of deaths (113). Three-wheeler passengers such as CNG auto-rickshaws and easy bikes followed with 61 deaths. Truck and covered van passengers accounted for 51 deaths, while bus passengers numbered 30. Private car and microbus passengers accounted for 24 deaths.
The victims included professionals from various sectors, including teachers, journalists, police personnel, doctors, engineers, lawyers, NGO workers, businesspeople, students, and garment workers.
A total of 49 students were killed in road accidents.
The Road Safety Foundation identified major causes of road crashes, including faulty vehicles and roads, speeding, reckless driving, unskilled drivers, poor traffic management, and weak enforcement of traffic laws.
It also highlighted systemic issues such as unregulated working hours for drivers, unsafe mixing of slow and fast vehicles on highways, and rising motorcycle use among young riders.
The organization recommended restructuring the National Road Safety Council and strengthening key transport authorities along with stricter law enforcement and improved road safety awareness campaigns to reduce fatalities, reports UNB.