The number of deaths in road crashes during the Eid holiday rush increased during the just concluded Eid ul Fitr, despite a ban on inter-district bus operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, two civic bodies said Tuesday.

At least 249 people were killed and 385 others were injured in 207 road crashes over the 12 days till Monday, as people rushed to travel home and come back to Dhaka, according to a report jointly prepared by Green Club of Bangladesh (GCB) and National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways.

The report covers the period between May 6 and May 17.

The report also stated that among the deceased, 35 were women, 29 children, 23 pedestrians and 27 transport workers, including drivers.   

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Both accidents and deaths increased during this Eid-ul Fitr's holidays from the last Eid-ul Azha, the report observed.

Some 187 accidents happened where 229 people were killed and 318 others injured in the last Eid-ul Azha.

The GCB and NCPSRR jointly prepared the statistics by collecting reports of fifteen national and regional daily newspapers and eight online news portals and news agencies.

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The report also said that several types of 329 small vehicles, including bus, were responsible for the road accidents. Of the total death, 107 people lost lives in 98 motor-bike accidents.

About 33.5 percent accidents took place on highways, 36 percent internal road networks, 18.5 percent in rural and 12 percent on urban roads, the release said.

According to the report, due to restriction on inter-district bus services, including passenger’s carrier inland water vessels and train, a greater number of cars and small vehicles operated on the roads. So, the number of accidents and fatalities involving small vehicles, including private cars have increased.

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Ashis Kumar Dey, general secretary of the NCPSRR, told UNB that improper traffic management system, lack of awareness about traffic laws, rash driving, unfit vehicles, inadequate benefits for drivers and reckless bike riding by youths were mainly responsible for the accidents.

He suggested increasing the skilled drivers, strengthening the capability of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and enforcement of the existing laws to check road accidents in the country.