448 road accidents killed 447 in Feb

A total of 447 people were killed and 1,181 others injured in 448 road accidents across Bangladesh in February, said Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS) on Friday.
BJKS Secretary General Mohammad Mozammel Haque Chowdhury in a statement issued on Friday said that in addition to road crashes, 34 railway accidents resulted in 26 fatalities and 11 injuries during the month.
It also said that six waterway accidents claimed four lives and left five people injured in February.
Accidents involving motorcycles were most common on the roads.
As many as 151 motorcycle accidents took place in February causing 167 deaths and 137 injuries.
The bike crashes accounted for 33.7 per cent of the total road accidents during the month, highlighting the escalating danger posed by motorcycles on the streets.
Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of road accidents, with 113 incidents resulting in 115 deaths and 387 injuries.
In contrast, Barisal Division reported the fewest accidents, with 22 crashes that claimed 19 lives and left 85 people injured.
The Jatri Kalyan Samiti's report further pointed several contributing factors behind the rising number of accidents.
These include poor management, lack of effective policies, inexperienced drivers, unfit vehicles, unregulated battery-powered vehicles, driving against traffic, disregard for traffic laws, and drivers operating vehicles for long hours without adequate rest.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com