Road accidents up by 59.30pc this Eid: RSF

Road accidents increased by 59.30 per cent and death tolls by 37.61 per cent during this Eid-ul-Azha holidays, compared to those of last year.

During this year's Eid-ul-Azha celebration, some 26 people were killed in road accidents every day, according to a report - released by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) on Thursday.

At least 311 people were killed and 1,197 others were injured in different accidents across the country in 12 days from July 5 to July 16. The statistics showed that some 274 accidents took place during this Eid. Among the deceased, 43 were women and 58 children.

During the Eid-ul-Azha last year, the number of accidents and fatalities were lower than this year due to limited movement of people to prevent spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

But accidents and loss of life are constantly increasing. The main reason behind this rising trend was increased number of motorcycle accidents, according to the RSF report.

During the period, the number of accidents involving motorcycles was the highest. Some 123 people died in motorcycle crashes before and after Eid days, which is 39.54 per cent of the total deaths.

A total of 95 people were killed in 83 motorcycle accidents during the Eid-ul-Azha celebration in 2021. So, motorcycle accidents increased by 85.54 per cent and death tolls by 19.47 per cent during this Eid festival.

The RSF prepared the report based on news - published in nine national dailies, seven online news portals, and electronic media.

Road accidents also took the lives of 53 drivers and assistants. Some 481 vehicles were responsible for the road accidents during the time, added the RSF report.

The highest number of accidents took place in Dhaka division with the highest number of deaths. Some 104 people were killed in Dhaka division in 93 incidents.

The lowest number of fatalities was reported in Mymensingh division. A total of 14 accidents took place in the division.

Of the total, 109 accidents occurred on highways, 77 on regional roads, 61 on rural roads, and 27 on urban roads.

Besides, some 11 people were killed and four others were injured in 14 incidents on railway tracks, while 13 died and six others went missing in nine incidents on waterways in the period.

The RSF report attributed the road crashes to unfit vehicles, rash driving, lack of skill, mental and physical sickness, inadequate benefits for drivers, slow movement of vehicles on highways, reckless bike ride by youths, improper traffic management system, and lack of awareness about traffic laws.

The RSF also recommended increasing the number of skilled drivers, strengthening capability of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and proper enforcement of the existing laws to check road accidents in the country.

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