A total of 281 people were killed and 837 others injured in 292 road accidents across the country during the 13-day period before and after Eid-ul-Azha this year, according to a report released by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF).
The report, covering 21 May to 2 June, shows that an average of around 22 people lost their lives per day in road crashes during the Eid journey.
It said motorbike accidents accounted for nearly half of the fatalities. Out of 141 motorcycle crashes, 124 people were killed, representing over 44% of the total deaths. Among the deceased were 34 women, 48 children and 37 pedestrians.
Regionally, Dhaka division recorded the highest number of accidents and fatalities, with 95 crashes causing 101 deaths. Sylhet division reported the lowest death toll.
The foundation identified speeding, faulty vehicles, unskilled drivers, weak traffic management and risky motorcycle use among teenagers and young people as key causes of the accidents.
It also reported 13 waterway accidents, leaving 8 dead and 15 injured, while 22 railway accidents resulted in 17 deaths and 9 injuries.
The report was prepared based on data from national dailies, online news portals, electronic media and the organisation’s own monitoring.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
