Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (June 19, 2024) said that motorcycles and easy bikes are the leading causes of road accidents across the country. Quader made these remarks during an Eid greetings exchange at his ministry's conference room in the Secretariat at 11:30 am. "It's very unfortunate that lately, motorcycle accidents have become more frequent. Looking at the accident data, motorcycles account for the highest number of accidents, followed by easy bikes. Reckless driving also plays a significant role. We cannot ignore this. I urge the Secretary to expedite the formulation of a policy," he said. Jatri Kalyan Samity calls for end to Eid transport fare anarchy and road accidents The minister further mentioned that the lack of regulation for millions of three-wheelers and motorcycles is disrupting order on the roads, highlighting the urgent need for a policy.  "People's lives should come before livelihoods. In trying to protect livelihoods, lives are being put at risk. Those involved in electoral politics often support or endorse this. Easy bikes on highways receive a lot of support, sometimes even encouragement from behind the scenes. In Dhaka, our current regulations ensure that 98 percent of riders have helmets," the minister said. Three dead, one injured in separate road accidents in Kurigram, Gazipur Quader also noted that while the Eid journeys on roads have been relatively smooth, the return trips remain a concern. "The return journeys often receive less attention, which can lead to accidents. Therefore, we must focus on ensuring the safety of the return journeys as well." He emphasized that maintaining discipline on the roads will significantly reduce accidents. "We must prioritize discipline to reduce road accidents," Quader added. Road accidents claimed 708 lives in April: Jatri Kalyan Samity

In anticipation of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, Bangladesh Police on Thursday (April 04, 2024) issued a series of safety guidelines for citizens planning to travel back to their hometowns.  This initiative aims to ensure a safe and smooth journey for thousands of holidaymakers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The police have strongly discouraged travelers from risking their lives by riding on the roofs of buses, trucks, pickups, and other goods vehicles.  Newly elected Cumilla and Mymensingh city mayors take oath Additionally, pedestrians have been advised to utilise foot overbridges and zebra crossings wherever available and to be cautious of vehicle speeds in areas lacking these facilities. Private car users were specifically warned against joyriding and reckless driving. The police have also cautioned all travelers against accepting food from strangers, a precautionary measure to avoid potential health risks. Bus owners have been urged to employ only skilled and professional drivers and to avoid overloading buses beyond their capacity. Similarly, vehicle fitness is emphasised, with a strict recommendation against operating any vehicle deemed unfit for travel. Regarding waterway travel, the police advised against journeying by launch in inclement weather conditions and implored vessel owners to refrain from exceeding passenger limits on launches, steamers, and speedboats. Vessel operators were reminded to navigate the vessels themselves or ensure that they are piloted by certified drivers. Owners are also encouraged to monitor weather conditions via mobile phones and radio and to verify the functionality of fire pumps and fire extinguishing equipment onboard. For those traveling by train, police reiterated the dangers of roof, buffer, and engine travel and cautioned against the act of throwing stones at trains, which poses a significant safety hazard. Work for people, don’t lose public trust: PM Hasina to public reps In the event of an emergency, people were asked to call 999 or police headquarters control room (01320001299), highway police headquarters (01320182598), railway police headquarters (01320177598), river police headquarters (01320169598), Rapid Action Battalion (01777720199), district superintendent of police and officer-in-charge of police, if needed. By adhering to these guidelines, the Bangladesh Police hope to minimise accidents and ensure that Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated in a joyous and safe manner across the country.

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) forecasts that around 15 million individuals are poised to exit the greater Dhaka area, including Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj city corporation areas, for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. An estimated 60% of these holidaymakers, roughly nine million people, will opt for road travel, while the rest will utilise waterways and railways. The projection, released in a press statement by NCPSRR on Monday, sheds light on the massive seasonal migration and its implications on transportation and safety. Despite admitting potential inaccuracies due to the lack of a comprehensive database, NCPSRR's general secretary, Ashis Kumar Dey, stated that the report was compiled from a variety of sources, including research data, civic groups, and transport sector organizations. Read more: Dhaka Metro Rail operations to continue past 9 pm from today The committee has voiced concerns over the possibility of increased public suffering and accidents on the roads, similar to previous years. Nevertheless, it acknowledged the government's significant efforts to facilitate smoother Eid travel for millions. Drawing from the latest census, the report details the population distribution within the Dhaka division, noting that about 75% of the country's garment factories are in Gazipur. Workers, who predominantly reside in the Gazipur region, contribute to the large-scale exodus during Eid. Additionally, significant populations in Narayanganj and adjacent districts add to the surge of travelers seeking to return to their native places for the Eid holiday. Read more: Seasoned journalists, experts stress vital role of media in creating awareness to make roads safe again The report highlights several challenges faced by travelers, including the inadequate capacity of the road transport sector to manage the massive flow of people within a week leading up to Eid. Issues such as the poor condition of long-distance roads, over 500 risky turning points nationwide, and the manual collection of tolls exacerbating traffic congestion are identified as major obstacles to smooth travel. Despite these hurdles, the NCPSRR remains optimistic that the implementation of government measures could alleviate some of the public's difficulties on the roads during this peak travel period. The focus now shifts to ensuring that these initiatives are carried out effectively to enhance the Eid travel experience for millions. Read more: Wheels of hazard: Motorcycle safety crisis unfolding on Bangladesh’s roads

Two women were killed in separate road accidents at Chirirbandar Upazila and Nawabganj Upazila of Dinajpur district on Friday. The deceased were identified as Mariam Begum, 50, wife of late Afal Uddin, resident of Khuniyadighi area of Chirirbandar Upazila, and Rashida Begum, 60, wife of late Shamshul Haque, resident of Daudpur area under Nawabganj Upazila. Nur Alam Siddique, Sub-inspector of Chirirbandar Police Station, said that a motorcycle hit Mariam Begum on Friday morning while she was sweeping dried leaves on the road for cooking fuel at Khuniyadighi area, leaving her critically injured. Later, locals rescued her and took her to Chirirbandar Upazila Health Complex where she succumbed to her injuries at noon. Bibhuti Bhushan Roy, Sub-inspector of Nawabganj Police Station, said that pedestrian Rashida Begum was going to Bhaduriya bazar on Friday noon when a picnic bus hit her, leaving her dead on the spot.

Four people were killed in separate road accidents in Faridpur and ChapaiNawabganj and Sylhet districts on Friday. In Faridpur, two youths were killed in a road accident when their motorbike collided with a truck at Goalchamot Sriangan area of Faridpur municipality on Friday. One of the deceased was identified as Injamul, 20, an employee of Alfa Insurance Company and resident of Baithakhali village of Macchar union. Identity of another deceased couldn’t be identified yet. Locals said, two young boys were bound to Faridpur with their motorbike and collided with a truck at Sriangan Bridge while trying to overtake the truck. The truck mowed down the duo with their bike, leaving them dead on the spot.   The truck driver and helper immediately skipped from the scene. Tuhin Laskar, Inspector of Faridpur Traffic Police, confirmed the matter and said that effort is going on to identify the deceased and legal action against driver and helper is also under process. In ChapaiNawabganj, A 35-year-old power tiller driver died on Friday when he was trying to save a calf and was crushed by the wheels of a power tiller at Khesba area of Nachol Upazila under ChapaiNawabganj district. The deceased was identified as Masud, 35, son of Israil Haque and resident of Fatehpur union of Nachol Upazila. Mintu Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Nachol Police Station, said that Masud was going home by driving a power tiller and was crushed by the wheels of the vehicle while trying to save a baby cow lying on the road. On information, police recovered the body, he added.     In Sylhet, a man was killed in a head-on collision between a speedy truck and tractor at Khadimpara area of Sylhet Sadar Upazila on Friday. The deceased was identified as Saidur Rahman, 28, son of Ayas Ali, resident of Khadimpara area of Sylhet Sadar Upazila. According to locals, a truck and a tractor collided head-on at Khadimpara area of Sylhet-Tamabil Highway. Both of the vehicles fell down into a roadside ditch, causing the tractor driver to die on the spot. Sub-inspector of Shahporan Police Station Maniruzzaman confirmed the information.  

As many as five people were killed and several others were injured in separate road accidents in Tangail and Lalmonirhat districts on Wednesday. In Tangail, three women were killed and at least 15 others were injured on Wednesday as a pick-up van lost control and fell into a roadside ditch at Analiabari area of Bangabandu Bridge link road under Kalihati Upazila. The deceased were identified as Sahana Begum, 60, wife of late Sultan, resident of Gandail area under Tangail Sadar Upazila, Nurjahan, 50, daughter of Mahtab Ali, resident of Pechamanik area and Firoza Begum, 60, wife of late Hatem Ali, resident of Gourang area of Dhanbari upazila.  Shafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Bangabandhu Setu East Police Station, said that the accident occurred when a Sirajganj-bound pickup van carrying 30-35 people lost control and turned down into a roadside ditch, leaving two women dead in the spot and 16 others injured.   The injured were taken to Tangail General Hospital where another woman succumbed to her injuries, the OC said, adding that Police sent the bodies to Tangail General Hospital morgue for autopsy. In Lalmonirhat, two people died and several injured in another road accident at Burirbazar area of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila when a truck hit an auto-rickshaw on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Nabiul, son of Mohammad Ali, resident of Tushbhandar union under Kaliganj upazila and Rejaul Islam, son of Mojibur, resident of Khedabagh area of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. Locals said, an auto-rickshaw was going to Barabari with 7-8 passengers while a truck coming from the opposite side hit the rickshaw at Burirbazar area. A man died on the spot in the impact of the crash and another one was declared dead by duty doctor when locals took the injured to hospital. Ershadul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, said that two people died in this accident and some sustained critical injuries. They have been sent to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital. However, police have seized the truck from the spot, the OC added.

Road crashes claimed 585 lives across the country in January, said a report of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity. Forty-six people killed in 44 railway accidents while 11 killed and one was injured in 13 waterway accidents, it said. The report was published on Saturday after analysing accident reports published in the country's national and regional dailies and online media during the period. Total 642 people were killed and 978 others injured in 650 accidents on roads, waterways and railways across the country. Two hundred five people died and 114 others were injured in some 214 motorbike accidents across the country last month. Read more: 2 dead in Mymensingh road crash Among those killed in road accident in January, 206 people were drivers, 109 pedestrians, 35 transport workers, 53 students, 10 teachers, 13 members of law enforcement agencies, 115 women, 62 children, five journalists, one freedom fighter, two lawyers, three engineers and 14 activists of different political parties. Among those vehicles involved in the accidents were 12.5 percent buses, 24.75 percent pick-up vans,, covered vans and lorries, 5.2 percent private cars, jeeps and microbuses, 5.88 percent CNG-run auto-rickshaws, 27.32 percent motorbikes, 14.58 percent battery-run human haulers and 9.92 percent three-wheeler vehicles. Of the accidents, 29.51 percent occurred on national highways, 38.61 on regional roads and 24.45 percent on roads. Besides, 5.22 percent accidents occurred in Dhaka city, 1.18 in Chattogram city and 1.01 percent on rail tracks. The association blamed reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and movement of unfit vehicles, unskilled drivers and helpers, plying of slow-moving three-wheelers and human-haulers on highways, using headphones or mobile phones, using drugs, illegal occupation of footpaths, poor traffic management, and violation of traffic rules for the accidents and deaths.

A portion of Kushtia-Rajbari regional highway caved in recently for the third time within a span of two years, disrupting vehicular movement and raising the risk of accidents.  The road stretching from Kumarkhali Bus Stand to Golchattar area was constructed involving Tk 190 crore in 2020. Later, renovation work was carried out in June, 2021 as a portion of it caved in and potholes developed making it unfit for use. A portion of the important regional highway was again renovated after eight months in November, 2021 as it has become risky now for movement for the same reason.   Read: Highways to calm Padma bridge traffic in Khulna Locals said 200-300 meter narrow ditches have been created on the road again. The potholes get filled with water even after a light rain, putting the vehicles and passengers passing the road at risk. Light vehicles like human haulers often overturn on the  road, they said.  The road turned unfit for movement several days ago but the authorities concerned did not pay any attention to it, forcing local people to use the road amid risk, they alleged. During a recent visit, this UNB correspondent found several hundred buses, trucks, private cars, microbus, battery-run three-wheeler vehicles, CNG-run auto-rickshaws use the road daily. There is also a bus stand in the area so many people have to use the road.

As many as 519 people, including 69 children, were dead and 961 were injured in road accidents in August, said a report today (September 3, 2022). Besides, 172 lives were lost in 183 motorcycle accidents, which is 33.14% of the total deaths, the Road Safety Foundation said in its latest report, released today. Also, 109 pedestrians and 94 drivers and their assistants were killed during this period. Accidents on waterways claimed at least eight lives while six people went missing in 11 river accidents and 24 were killed and nine injured in train accidents across Bangladesh last month. Road Safety Foundation based its findings on the reports of nine national dailies, seven online news portals and electronic media. Of the total accidents, 252 accidents occurred on the national highways, 199 on regional roads, 109 on rural roads, 64 on city roads and eight in other places, said the report. Also read: Two killed, 15 hurt in Bagerhat bus accident According to the report, 27.72% accidents occurred in Dhaka division, 15.28 % in Rajshahi, 21.61% in Chattogram, 10.08% in Khulna, 8.80% in Barishal, 4.14 % in Sylhet, 8.95% in Rangpur and 7.42% in Mymensingh divisions. The highest number of accidents was recorded in Dhaka division where 242 people were killed in 127 accidents. Twenty-one people were killed in Sylhet division, the lowest compared to other divisions, said the report. The RSF pointed out several major reasons behind the rise in the number of 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; the tendency of flouting traffic rules, poor management of traffic; lack of efficiency of the BRTA; and extortion in the sector.    

A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Wednesday seeking its directive to the authorities concerned for conducting a judicial probe into the accidents at the level crossings across the country. Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tapas Kanti Baul filed a writ petition on behalf of Dhaka University (DU) student Mohiuddin Roni. The writ petition sought directive to pay compensation to the families of the deceased and to the injured victims of train accidents in Chattogram and Gopalganj. The writ petition also sought the formation of a committee headed by a former judge of the Appellate Division to probe the accidents, said Tapas Kanti. Read: Irregularities in train ticket sale: HC stays realisation of fine from Shohoz The Home Affairs Secretary, Law Secretary and Railways Secretary were made respondents to the writ petition. Tapas Kanti said he presented the writ petition for hearing at a bench of the High Court today, but Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia refused to hear the writ petition. “Now I will present the writ petition in another bench of the High Court for hearing.” On July 29, a speeding express train rammed into a microbus at a level crossing at Mirsharai upazila on Friday, killing at least 11 people who were returning from a visit to a popular waterfall in the hills of the area. A court sent gateman Saddam Hussain to jail in the case filed over that accident. On July 21, five construction workers were killed and three injured as a train rammed a concrete mixer three-wheeler at a level crossing in Gopalganj's Kashiani upazila.