Dhaka Ahsania Mission has placed nine recommendations aimed at reducing road crashes during the upcoming Eid journey, as accidents on highways continue to claim many lives every year during the festive travel period.
According to the organisation, reckless driving, speeding, and careless movement of vehicles and pedestrians significantly increase the number of road crashes during Eid. Buses, motorcycles and other vehicles often race on highways, creating dangerous situations for travellers.
Data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) show that during the eight-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday in 2025, at least 132 people were killed and 208 injured in 110 road crashes across the country.
During Eid-ul-Fitr in 2023, 239 people died in road accidents over a 15-day period. BRTA sources said the number of deaths in 2024 increased by nearly 19 percent compared to 2023.
Among the major reasons behind the rising number of road crashes are the absence of an effective road safety law and lack of proper enforcement, along with inadequate systems and accountability, the organisation said.
In this context, the Youth Forum of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, which works on road safety issues, presented nine recommendations to help ensure safer Eid travel.
Marjana Muntaha, coordinator of the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing, shared the recommendations in a press release on Tuesday.
The forum recommended formulating and implementing a comprehensive guideline for speed management on roads to control excessive speeding, which is a major cause of road crashes. It also called for strict enforcement of speed limits for all motor vehicles during Eid.
The recommendations also emphasised ensuring that both motorcycle riders and passengers wear standard-quality helmets. It urged the formulation and enforcement of guidelines regarding helmet use.
The forum further recommended banning vehicles without proper fitness certification from operating on roads.
It also stressed the need for strict monitoring of drivers’ working hours to ensure adequate rest during Eid travel, noting that fatigued drivers pose serious risks to passengers and themselves.
Another recommendation was to prohibit the movement of battery-operated vehicles and rickshaws, including Nasimons, Karimons and Tempus, on major and important roads during the Eid journey.
The forum also called for strict monitoring to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances and for proper enforcement of relevant laws.
In addition, it recommended taking measures to ensure safe pedestrian movement, including keeping footpaths free from street vendors, making pedestrian overpasses more user-friendly, and encouraging pedestrians to use footpaths and overpasses. Pedestrians should also be made aware of safe practices such as avoiding mobile phone use while crossing roads and using zebra crossings.
The recommendations further emphasised holding authorities responsible for enforcing road discipline accountable.
Finally, the forum called for the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive road safety law following the globally recognised Safe System approach, stating that such measures would help reduce road fatalities and allow people to celebrate Eid and other festivals safely with their families.