416 Killed in Bangladesh Road Crashes in July

At least 416 people were killed and 629 others injured in 458 road accidents across Bangladesh in July, according to the latest report by the Road Safety Foundation.

The report, compiled from reports published in nine national dailies, 17 national and regional online news portals, electronic media and the organisation's own database, highlights the continuing toll of road crashes across the country.

Among those killed were 57 women and 48 children.

Motorcycles accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 159 crashes claiming 138 lives—33.17 percent of the total road deaths. Motorcycle accidents made up 34.71 percent of all reported road crashes during the month.

Pedestrians also remained highly vulnerable, with 106 people killed while walking on or crossing roads, representing 25.48 percent of the total fatalities. Another 51 drivers and transport workers lost their lives.

Highways remain the deadliest

National highways recorded the highest number of crashes, with 169 accidents, or 36.89 percent of the total. Regional roads accounted for 155 accidents, followed by urban roads with 66, rural roads with 61 and seven accidents at other locations.

Loss of vehicle control was identified as the leading cause of crashes, accounting for 164 accidents. Head-on collisions caused 123 crashes, while 108 involved vehicles hitting pedestrians. Rear-end collisions accounted for 54 incidents.

Vulnerable road users suffer most

Besides the 138 motorcycle fatalities, 94 passengers of three-wheelers, including auto-rickshaws, CNG-run vehicles and easy bikes, were killed.

Another 26 passengers of locally made vehicles, such as Nasimon and Bhutbhuti, lost their lives, while 21 bus passengers, 19 truck and pickup occupants, seven passengers of microbuses and ambulances, and five cyclists and rickshaw passengers were also killed.

Dhaka records highest casualties

Dhaka division recorded the highest number of accidents and deaths, with 133 crashes claiming 125 lives. Chattogram ranked second, followed by Rajshahi and Rangpur, while Barishal recorded the fewest accidents.

Within Dhaka city, 34 road accidents left 18 people dead and 47 others injured during the month.

Rail and waterway accidents

The report also recorded 13 waterway accidents that killed nine people and injured 11 others.

In addition, 29 railway accidents claimed 24 lives and left 18 people injured.

The Road Safety Foundation urged stricter enforcement of traffic laws, better driver training, safer road infrastructure and greater public awareness to reduce road fatalities.