Road accidents during this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr period decreased by 21.05%, with fatalities dropping by 20.88% and injuries by 40.91% compared to the previous Eid, according to a report by the Bangladesh Passengers' Welfare Association (BPWA).
The report, covering 24 March to 7 April, noted a total of 315 road accidents that caused 322 fatalities and 826 injuries. Additionally, 21 train-related accidents resulted in 20 deaths and eight injuries. Four waterway accidents caused 10 fatalities, with one person injured and another missing. Altogether, there were 340 accidents across road, rail, and waterways, leading to 352 deaths and 835 injuries during the Eid travel season.
Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, Secretary General of the association, presented the findings at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. He attributed the decline in accidents to staggered travel, facilitated by the extended Eid holiday, which eased pressure on transportation systems.
Improved road conditions and efforts by authorities such as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the Consumer Rights Protection Department, Highway Police, and the Bangladesh Army played a significant role in ensuring safer journeys. However, challenges like excessive fares, overcrowding, and poor regulation remained prevalent.
Motorcycles were identified as the most accident-prone vehicles, involved in 135 accidents, resulting in 151 deaths and 155 injuries.
The report highlighted several causes of accidents, including the unregulated movement of motorbikes and battery-operated rickshaws, poor road infrastructure, reckless driving, and the operation of unfit vehicles.
To prevent future accidents, the association recommended measures such as banning the import and registration of unregulated vehicles, improving road safety infrastructure, developing skilled drivers, implementing digital fitness certification systems, and introducing a modern bus network nationwide.
Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury expressed gratitude to the interim government for its initiatives to ensure safer travel during Eid and urged continued efforts to maintain this positive trend.
The press conference was attended by key members of the association, including its Chairman Dr. Mohammad Zakaria, Joint Secretary General Tawhidul Haque Liton, Treasurer Mahmudul Hasan Russell, and other executive committee members.
