A total of 428 people were killed and 791 others injured in 451 road accidents across Bangladesh in August, according to a report released on Monday (15 September) by the Road Safety Foundation.
Of these, 132 deaths occurred in 144 motorcycle crashes, accounting for 30.84 percent of total fatalities.
The report was compiled from information published in nine national dailies, seven online news portals, various television channels, and the foundation’s own sources.
Motorcycles had the highest fatality rate among vehicle types. Other figures show 97 people died in three-wheeler crashes, 30 in bus accidents, 27 in truck and covered-van crashes, 21 in incidents involving private cars, microbuses and ambulances, 33 in locally made vehicles, and 5 in bicycle crashes.
National highways saw the largest share of accidents—214 in total—followed by 135 on regional roads, 60 on urban roads and 42 on rural roads. Dhaka division recorded the highest number of crashes, while Barishal division had the lowest.
The foundation attributed most of the accidents to excessive speeding and loss of vehicle control.
Other major causes include defective vehicles, poor road conditions, reckless and unskilled driving, non-compliance with traffic laws, and weak traffic management.
It also flagged risky behaviors such as reckless motorbike riding by young people and the presence of slow-moving vehicles on highways.
To reduce accidents, the organization recommended initiatives to train skilled drivers, set fixed wages and working hours for drivers, construct separate service roads for slow-moving vehicles on highways, stop extortion in public transport, and fully implement the Road Transport Act 2018.
It also urged stronger enforcement of traffic laws and extensive awareness campaigns through mass and social media.
