At least 1,890 people, including 242 women and 312 children, were killed and 3,543 others injured in 1,792 road accidents in the first five months of the current year, reports UNB.
The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR), a non-government organisation, on Sunday revealed the information in its regular monthly survey and observation report.
The fatal accidents took place on various highways, national, inter-district and regional roads between January 01 and May 31 across the country.
The report was prepared on the basis of 22 national dailies, 10 regional newspapers and eight online news portals and news agencies.
According to the report, 411 people, including 53 women and 71 children, lost lives and 725 others received injuries in 383 accidents in January.
Some 401 accidents occurred in February when 415 people were killed while 884 others injured. Among the deceased, 58 were women and 62 children.
In March, 386 people, including 46 women and 82 children, embraced death and 820 others were injured in 384 road crashes.
Some 327 accidents occurred in April where 340 people were killed while 610 others injured. Among the deceased, 38 were women and 53 children.
In May, 338 people, including 47 women and 44 children, lost lives and 504 others received injuries in 297 accidents.
Ashis Kumar Dey, general secretary of the national committee, said they identified 10 major reasons behind the rise in road accidents.
The reasons are racing tendency among drivers and reckless driving, contractual leasing of vehicles to drivers or conductors on daily basis, employing drivers without having any licences, lack of awareness of pedestrians and small vehicle drivers, especially motorcyclists and overloading and overtaking tendency of drivers violating traffic rules.
Besides, long-time driving without any interval, absence of enforcement of law to stop plying of unfit vehicles, violation of traffic rules on long routes, increase in motorcycles and three-wheelers on roads and highways, and carrying passengers and goods in locally-made motorised vehicles were also cited as reasons.
