How long will Bangladesh’s highways remain deadly?

Dhaka, 1 Feb – Seven-year-old Fahim, a madrasah student from Tangail’s Ghatail upazila, faced a devastating loss when a horrific road accident orphaned him.

 His parents, elder brother, and aunt were among the four family members killed in a tragic crash while travelling to Dhaka for his brother’s medical treatment.

 The incident occurred on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Savar when the ambulance carrying Fahim’s family was struck by two buses, causing its gas cylinder to explode.

Fifteen others were injured in the fiery crash.

Fahim’s life, already challenging due to his family’s absence, now hangs in uncertainty as he copes with this unimaginable loss.

In another devastating accident, five members of a family were killed when their private car was hit by a speeding bus at the Dhaleswari Toll Plaza on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway.

The bus driver, Md Nurunnabi, was arrested the following day.

 Investigations revealed that he lacked a valid license and the bus was operating without a fitness certificate.

 These tragic incidents are only a fraction of the countless lives lost due to road accidents. Without urgent intervention from the authorities, such heartbreaking stories will continue to unfold, said Nurul Huda, a Dhaka resident who lost her 17-year-old brother in a motorbike crash in Faridpur two years ago.

 “Shifting blame among responsible authorities must stop. All stakeholders need to take greater responsibility. Raising awareness and ensuring accountability at all levels is essential,” she added.

 Alarming Statistics

 According to the Road Safety Foundation, Bangladesh recorded 6,927 road accidents in 2024, resulting in 7,294 deaths and 12,019 injuries.

 Motorcycles were involved in 39.85% of the accidents, while 21.04% of fatalities were pedestrians, and 13.49% were vehicle drivers or their assistants.

 In Dhaka alone, 394 road accidents claimed 246 lives and left 482 people injured.

 Disturbingly, there were 13 accidents in which husbands, wives, and children perished together. At least four entire families were wiped out in crashes during the year.

Jatri Kalyan Samity, another road safety organisation, reported even grimmer figures—8,543 fatalities and 12,608 injuries nationwide in 2024.

Experts caution that the actual number of road accident victims remains unclear.

Official statistics often account only for on-the-spot deaths, while fatalities occurring in hospitals later are frequently omitted.

Unlike global standards, where accident-related deaths within 30 days are recorded, Bangladesh lacks a comprehensive data collection system.

Experts’ Insights and Recommendations

 Professor Dr. Mohammad Mahbub Alam Talukder of the Accident Research Institute (ARI), Buet , said the introduction of new vehicles has significantly contributed to rising accident rates.

 “Previously, auto-rickshaws were not as prevalent, and motorcycles—which should not be considered public transport—are now widely used, leading to increased accidents,” he said.

 Unfit vehicles driven by unskilled drivers dominate the roads, and even when accidents occur, authorities often release offenders in exchange for bribes, he added.

 “Helmet use remains inadequate, despite around 80% of motorcycle accident fatalities resulting from head injuries,” Dr. Talukder noted.

 Saidur Rahman, Executive Director of the Road Safety Foundation, attributed most accidents to high speeds, reckless driving, and a lack of awareness among pedestrians.

 He stressed the need for technological monitoring of vehicle speed, motivational training for drivers, and public awareness campaigns.

 “Transport workers endure poor working conditions, undefined wages, and long hours, leading to physical and mental stress, which contributes to reckless driving. Ensuring their professional rights is critical to reducing accidents,” he said.

 Rahman also called for structural reforms and institutional accountability in road transport authorities.

The Road Transport Act-2018: A Law Yet to be Fully Enforced

The Road Transport Act-2018, introduced after widespread student protests, was meant to enforce stricter penalties, including up to five years’ imprisonment for reckless driving causing deaths.

When the government attempted to enforce the law in 2019, transport associations launched strikes, forcing several key provisions to remain unenforced.

As a result, the promise of safer roads remains unfulfilled.

Professor Talukder noted that before implementing any law, hearings should be held to assess its feasibility, effectiveness, and potential obstacles.

But no feasibility study was conducted for the 2018 Road Safety Act, leading to its non-implementation.

“While the law includes multiple provisions, enforcing all of them at once could disrupt the transport system. A phased and well-planned implementation approach is necessary,” he suggested.

Better law enforcement is also needed, as offenders frequently escape punishment through influence or financial settlements, he added.

He also recommended that road safety education be integrated into academic curricula and public awareness campaigns be launched on social media to educate people about traffic laws.

A Global Perspective

The World Health Organization’s Road Safety Report 2023 highlights that in most countries, motor vehicles take priority over pedestrian safety.

“Road crashes are the fourth leading cause of death for children in Bangladesh,” said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.

He emphasised  that road safety is a critical development issue, as accidents not only claim lives but also hinder economic growth and human development.

The tragedies involving Fahim and countless others serve as grim reminders of the urgent need for comprehensive road safety measures in Bangladesh.

Without strict law enforcement, systemic reforms, and widespread public awareness, the cycle of preventable road tragedies will persist, claiming more lives and devastating families.