A total of 288 people were killed and 630 others injured in 265 road accidents in Sylhet division during the first nine months of 2026, according to a report by Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa).

The report, released by the Nischa Sylhet Divisional Committee on Thursday marking National Road Safety Day, showed that May recorded the highest number of fatalities at 51, followed by August with 47 deaths.

According to the monthly breakdown, 25 people were killed in 25 accidents in January, 32 in 32 accidents in February, 32 in 29 accidents in March and 15 in 19 accidents in April.

In May, 51 people died in 42 accidents, while June recorded 29 deaths in 29 accidents. In July, 31 people were killed in 28 accidents, followed by 47 in 35 accidents in August and 26 in 26 accidents in September.

The report showed that 98 people were killed in road accidents in May and August combined, accounting for about 34 percent of the total fatalities during the nine-month period.

It identified speeding, risky overtaking, driver negligence, mechanical defects in vehicles and inadequate road safety measures as possible causes of accidents.

The report also stressed the importance of helmet use by motorcyclists and passengers, as well as safe road-crossing practices by pedestrians.

To improve road safety, it called for greater public awareness, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, regular monitoring and measures to identify and address the causes of accidents.

Ensuring safety on highways across Sylhet division remains a major challenge, the report noted. It particularly highlighted the need for effective speed limits, identification of accident-prone spots and appropriate warning measures on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, where heavy traffic and high speeds increase the risk of accidents.

The report stressed that reducing road fatalities requires effective initiatives by the authorities, greater awareness among drivers, passengers and pedestrians, and compliance with traffic laws.