324 die, 631 others injured

At least 324 people died and 631 others injured in road accidents across the country during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
On an average, 21.6 people died every day in road accidents during the Eid-ul-Azha this year, according to a report - released by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) on Friday.
During last year's Eid-ul-Azha celebration, 25.91 people died on an average every day.
Compared to last year, the death toll in accidents has decreased by 16.63 per cent this year.
One of the reasons behind this decrease in fatalities was that the law-enforcement agencies were more active on the highways during this year's Eid-ul-Azha, the RSF said.
It prepared the report based on news published in nine national dailies, seven online news portals, and electronic media.
The statistics showed that some 303 accidents took place in 15 days from June 23 to July 7. Among the deceased, 61 were women and 72 children.
The number of accidents involving motorcycles was the highest, according to the RSF report.
Some 106 people died in 117 motorcycle crashes before and after the Eid days, which was 32.71 per cent of the total death.
Road accidents also took the lives of 47 drivers and assistants. Some 591 vehicles were responsible for the road accidents during the time, added the report.
The highest number of accidents along with the highest number of deaths took place in Dhaka division. Some 99 people were killed in Dhaka division in 93 incidents.
The lowest number of death was reported in Barishal division. A total of 15 people were killed in different accidents in the division.
Of the total, 131 accidents occurred on highways, 115 on regional roads, 37 on rural roads, and 20 on urban roads, the report showed.

sajibur@gmail.com