Dhaka: At least 416 people were killed and 629 injured in 458 road accidents across Bangladesh in July, underscoring the country’s persistent road safety crisis driven by reckless driving, poor road conditions and weak enforcement of traffic laws, local media reported citing a Road Safety Foundation (RSF) report.
In its report, the RSF recorded that 57 women and 48 children were among those killed, highlighting the devastating human cost of road crashes that continue to affect families across the country.
As per the findings, motorcycles remained the deadliest mode of transport, with 159 crashes claiming the lives of 138 riders and passengers. Motorcycle-related fatalities accounted for 33.17 per cent of all road deaths, while such accidents made up 34.71 per cent of the total reported crashes, leading Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune reported.
The report noted that pedestrians also continue to bear the brunt of road accidents, with 106 people killed while walking on or crossing roads — accounting for 25.48 per cent of all fatalities. The figure included 51 drivers and transport assistants, who accounted for 12.25 per cent of the total death toll.
According to the report, national highways recorded the highest number of crashes, accounting for 169 accidents or 36.89 per cent of the total. Regional roads followed with 155 accidents (33.84 per cent ), while urban roads reported 66 crashes (14.41 per cent ), rural roads 61 (13.31 per cent ), and seven accidents occurred at other locations.
Among all eight divisions in Bangladesh, Dhaka recorded the highest number of accidents and fatalities, with 133 accidents resulting in 125 fatalities – nearly one-third of the nationwide death toll.
Chattogram recorded the second-highest number of road accidents and fatalities, followed by Rajshahi and Rangpur. Barishal reported the lowest figures, with 28 crashes claiming 24 lives. In the capital city Dhaka, 34 road accidents left 18 people dead and 47 others injured last month.
Road safety advocates have consistently warned that factors such as reckless driving, excessive speeding, weak traffic law enforcement, unsafe motorcycles, poor road engineering, and weak public transport management continue to contribute to Bangladesh’s high rate of road fatalities.
The findings emphasise the need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, improved driver training, safer road infrastructure, and greater public awareness to reduce preventable road deaths across the country.
(IANS)
