428 people die, 791 hurt in 451 road accidents

FE REPORT
A total of 428 people, including 57 students, were killed and 791 others injured in 451 road accidents across the country last month (August 2025), the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) revealed in its latest report - released on Monday.
It said among the victims, 132 people died in motorbike accidents alone, which is 30.84 per cent of the total fatalities. A total of 83 pedestrians along with 52 drivers and their assistants were among those killed in the road accidents.
Besides, 19 waterways accidents also claimed 23 lives with 17 injuries. On the other hand, 31 people were killed and 11 others injured in 37 train accidents across the country last month.
The RSF prepared the report based on the reports of nine national dailies, seven online news portals and electronic media. It said 214 accidents occurred in total on national highways, 135 on regional roads, 42 on rural roads, and 60 on city roads.
According to the report, 26.38 per cent accidents occurred in Dhaka division, 12.63 per cent in Rajshahi, 21.28 per cent in Chattogram, 9.97 per cent in Khulna, 4.0 per cent in Barishal, 9.09 per cent in Sylhet, 9.53 per cent in Rangpur, and 7.09 per cent in Mymensingh division.
The RSF further said the highest number of accidents was recorded in Dhaka division, where 117 people were killed in 119 accidents; while 16 people were killed in Barishal division, the lowest compared to others.
The RSF pointed out several major reasons behind the rise in road accidents. The reasons include - faulty vehicles; reckless driving; desperate mentality, incompetence and illness of drivers; unsettled wages and working hours; prevalence of low-speed traffic on highways; reckless motorcycling by the youth; tendency of flouting traffic rules; poor management of traffic; lack of efficiency of the BRTA; and extortion in the sector. The RSF called upon the authorities concerned to take necessary steps for addressing the issues.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com