In Bangladesh, motorcycles, with their ease of navigation and cost-effectiveness, have become a popular mode of transport. However, this preference comes with a significant drawback: motorcycles are at the epicenter of the nation’s road safety crisis. While there was a hopeful decrease in motorcycle-related accidents in the past year compared to 2022, these two-wheelers remain the most common protagonist in the tragic tales of road accidents across the country. The situation is dire, with not only deaths being a common outcome but an increasing number of individuals suffering life-altering injuries, including the loss of limbs. The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR), a vigilant civic organization, illuminates this pressing issue with alarming statistics: from 2020 to 2023, 33-40% of all annual road accidents involved motorcycles. This figure has been on a distressing upward trajectory since the start of this year. According to the NCPSRR, the daily average ranges from 8 to 10 fatalities in 10 to 12 motorcycle accidents—a grim statistic that often escapes the attention of the national media spotlight. The heart of this crisis is attributed to the presence of underage, unskilled, and unlicensed drivers on the roads. The lack of stringent enforcement by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and the police has been pinpointed as a contributing factor. Ashis Kumar Dey, the general secretary of NCPSRR, doesn’t mince words when he lists the reasons behind the spike in motorcycle accidents: the proliferation of motorcycles, including many that are unlicensed, and reckless driving habits are significant contributors. Dey strongly believes that both law enforcement and the regulatory body, BRTA, need to intensify their efforts. Motorcycle rider dies in Dinajpur road crash To combat this escalating problem, Dey proposes a comprehensive crackdown on underage and unlicensed riders and unregistered motorcycles. He advocates for the implementation of mobile courts across all districts for three consecutive months, a bold strategy aimed at curtailing the rampant violations contributing to road safety hazards. The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) adds a quantitative dimension to the discourse with its annual report, revealing that in 2023, 6,524 individuals, including 974 women and 1,128 children, lost their lives in 6,911 road accidents across the country. Motorbike riders and pillion passengers comprised a staggering 38.12% of these fatalities. Delving deeper into the data, RSF provides a comparative analysis of motorcycle accidents and fatalities over recent years, presenting a grim narrative of increasing incidents and loss of lives, peaking in 2022. However, a glimmer of hope emerges from the 2023 statistics, showing a 14.83% decrease in accidents and a 19.54% drop in fatalities compared to the previous year. Despite this positive trend, Saidur Rahman, executive director of RSF, remains cautious, warning that this decrease should not be prematurely celebrated as a sign of sustained improvement in road safety. Rahman further elaborates on the challenges at hand, pointing out that motorcycles constitute 71% of all motor vehicles in the country, with a significant portion of these riders being teenagers and young adults. This demographic exhibits a pronounced disregard for traffic laws, exacerbated by a lack of stringent monitoring and enforcement, leading to reckless behavior and tragic outcomes. The discourse takes a critical turn as Rahman highlights the frequent clashes between motorcycles and larger vehicles such as trucks, covered vans, and buses. The drivers of these larger vehicles often lack the necessary skill or are overworked, contributing to their involvement in accidents with motorcycles. The inadequacy of the public transport system and the chronic issue of traffic congestion have further popularized motorcycles as a preferred mode of transport, despite the associated risks. Man hit by motorcycle in Jatrabari dies In a noteworthy development, Rahman acknowledges the role of increased awareness and the efforts of highway police in the recent decline in motorcycle accidents. Abu Raihan Md Saleh, Joint Commissioner (Traffic-North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, supports this view, attributing the reduction in accidents to the rigorous enforcement of traffic laws. Saleh’s remarks underline the police’s commitment to curbing reckless riding, unregistered bikes, and license violations, although this has led to complaints from bikers about perceived overzealous policing. Saleh also emphasizes the crucial role of parental responsibility in preventing underage and inexperienced individuals from taking to the roads on motorcycles. He expresses optimism that with heightened vigilance from parents and guardians, the trend of motorcycle accidents can be further curbed. This multifaceted crisis of motorcycle safety in Bangladesh calls for a concerted effort from all stakeholders: law enforcement, regulatory bodies, civic organizations, and the community at large. The statistics and stories paint a clear picture of the challenge ahead, yet they also offer a blueprint for action. By addressing the root causes of motorcycle accidents and implementing targeted safety measures, Bangladesh can hope to navigate its way out of this perilous situation, making its roads safer for everyone. Increase vigilance on movement of three-wheelers, motorcycles during Eid holidays: Quader

As many as 394 people were dead in 398 road accidents across the country in September this year, according to data compiled by the Road Safety Foundation. Among the casualties, 48 were women and 53 were children. Road Safety Foundation, a non-government organization, prepared the report based on information from nine national dailies, seven online news portals, and electronic media, according to a press release. Also read: 496 killed, 681 hurt in accidents in September: Jatri Kalyan Samity Among the casualties of road accidents across the country, 151 (38.32 percent) were motorcyclists; 16 (4.06 percent) were bus passengers; 15 (3.80 percent) were riders of trucks, covered vans, pickups; and 68 (17.25 percent) were riders of three-wheelers like CNG, easybikes, and autorickshaws. According to the Road Safety Foundation's analysis, 139 (34.92 percent) accidents occurred on national highways, 183 (45.97 percent) on regional roads, 49 (12.31 percent) on rural roads, 22 (5.52 percent) on urban roads, and 5 (1.25 percent) in other places. Also read: 3 people, including SI, die in separate road accidents in Dinajpur The report reveals that in September, Dhaka division saw the highest number of accidents, with 121 reported accidents resulting in 116 fatalities. Sylhet division recorded the lowest number of accidents, with just 20 incidents, while Mymensingh division had the lowest number of fatalities, totaling 23. At least 17 people were dead and 21 were injured in 23 accidents in the capital city Dhaka, Road Safety Foundation data shows. The organization identified several factors contributing to the high number of casualties on the country's roads, including, reckless driving, slow-moving vehicles on highways, absence of fixed pay and working hours for drivers, inadequate traffic management, limited capacity of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and prevalence of extortion within the public transport sector. According to Road Safety Foundation, 378 lives were lost in 403 road accidents across the country in August. Also read: 378  people die in 403 road accidents in August: Road Safety Foundation

Bangladesh Ambulance Owners Welfare Association has called for an indefinite nationwide strike to press home their six-point demand, including the withdrawal of taxes imposed by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority(BRTA). The strike of private ambulance owners will begin on Tuesday (July 25, 2023) if the demands are not met by today, said Gulam Mostafa, President of the Bangladesh Ambulance Owners Welfare Association on Monday. Not enough fuel allocation means no ambulance service at Faridpur General Hospital for 45 days Other demands include formation of a national policy on ambulances and the implementation of prime minister’s announced toll-free facility for ambulances. The ambulance owners also demanded parking facilities at all hospitals in the country, the facility to fill up fuel at filling stations without having to wait in lines while transporting a patient, and uninterrupted travel on roads. 4 dead, 3 injured as truck collides with ambulance in Gopalganj

BARVIDA (Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association) urged the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to rationalize vehicle registration fee increased last week by an order. BARVIDA also demanded abolishing the ‘dual registration system’ which is currently active in the country for the importers and also for the buyers, according to a press release. The BARVIDA delegation led by its President Md Habib Ullah Dawn requested the BRTA Chairman to phase out the 15-20 years old vehicles gradually from the capital to make a healthier Dhaka. Read more: BARVIDA election to be held June 18 The BARVIDA leaders also requested BRTA to include BARVIDA in the vehicle registration process.   The BRTA Chairman accepted the BARVIDA proposals positively and assured them of implementing those after necessary examination. BARVIDA Secretary General Mohammed Shahidul Islam, Vice President - 1 Md Aslam Serniabath, Vice President - 2 Reaz Rahman, Treasurer Mohammed Anisur Rahman and Executive members Mohd. Saiful Islam (Samrat), Abu Hossain Bhuiyan (Ranu) and Punom Sharmin Jhilmil and general member Akter hossain Mazumdar attended the meeting. High officials of BRTA also attended the meeting. Read more: Habib becomes Barvida president, Shahidul secretary-general

Sylhet transport workers will enforce an indefinite strike in the district from Sunday morning demanding the withdrawal of two officials of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority in Sylhet alleging corruption and harassment. The strike was announced at an emergency meeting on Thursday, said joint secretary of the District Bus-Minibus-Coach-Microbus Workers Union Ali Akbar. Also read: Sale of beef, mutton suspended in Sylhet Workers will abstain from their work from 6 am on Sunday as part of the strike. According to transport workers' leaders, BRTA Sylhet Officer (AD) Sanaul Haque and Record Room employee Delwar issue vehicle documents or driver's licenses in a short period through bribes which cannot be obtained at the specified time in the proper process. They also harass transport workers for bribes. Also read:Fuel traders stage demonstration for uninterrupted fuel, gas supply in Sylhet And so, the transport workers demanded the withdrawal of the two BRTA officials in the next 24 hours.

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.    Also read: Rab member, another killed in Gazipur road accident Both accidents and deaths increased during this Eid-ul Fitr's holidays from the last Eid-ul Azha, the report observed.

App-based ridesharing bikers and shop owners brought traffic movement to a grinding halt in parts of Dhaka Wednesday, protesting the government's restriction order on their services amid a record surge in Covid-19 cases. The pedestrians said bikers of ridesharing services gathered at Moghbazar intersection at noon and staged a protest demanding an end to the ban on their services during the weeklong restriction on movement of people and transport. Traffic came to a standstill at that time as the angry bikers began to protest. Later, they tried to take position in front of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Headquarters but failed as police gave chase to disperse them. Also read: Bangladesh shatters its all-time records of daily Covid cases Earlier, the bikers gathered at the Mohakhali area at around 11am and demonstrated on the streets, causing traffic congestion from Mohakhali to Bangladesh Navy Headquarters in Banani.  When contacted, an on-duty traffic inspector of the Mohakhali area told UNB that cases were filed against ridesharing bikers as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) imposed restrictions on bike ridesharing services until Apr 14 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Also read: Bustle back in Dhaka with reopening of city bus services The BRTA has banned all ridesharing services for 15-days from Thursday to prevent the Covid-19 spread. Meanwhile, shop owners and employees of the Bangabazar area blocked the streets of Gulistan in the morning, demanding immediate reopening of shops and markets. Witnesses said protestors hurled brick chips at police as the law enforcement tried to disperse them.  Also read: No motorcycle ride-sharing from Thursday Traffic came to a halt at Gulistan area at that time. At one stage, police dispersed the demonstrators. Earlier, the government announced the lifting of ban on public transport in city corporation areas from Wednesday, amid the nationwide lockdown.  The move sparked anger among other commercial sectors and ridesharing bikers across the city.

Commuters staged demonstrations after blocking road in the city’s Nilkhet area as they failed to board buses and other public transports after the government’s directive to carry 50 percent passengers in public buses to check Covid transmission. Also read:25-30% bus seats must be kept empty, no standing ... Sabbir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Khilkhet Police Station, said some people staged demonstrations on the road around 9 am halting the movement of some buses as they failed to board buses to reach their destinations. However, traffic movement returned to normal after12 pm. Sufferings of commuters mounted as Bangladesh Road Transport Authority(BRTA) imposed a ban for two weeks on app-based motorcycle ride sharing services following the fresh surge of coronavirus.  Ride sharing bikers also staged demonstrations in the city’s Badda area and in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the government to allow them to operate the service. Also read:Bus services resume as restriction ends; Passengers low A huge number of people were seen waiting for buses since morning in different areas and some of them hired rickshaws and CNG-run autorickshaw to reach their destinations.  In the wake of growing Covid-19 cases, the government asked the operators to carry 50 percent passengers of their capacity to maintain social distancing. It has increased the fares of public transport by 60 percent across the country on March 30. The order will remain in force for the next two weeks. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on March 29 issued an 18-point directive for the next two weeks in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Bangladesh. Also read:Govt increases bus fares by 60 pc

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has imposed a ban on operating app-based motorcycle ride-sharing services amid a recent surge in Covid-19 infections and fatalities. The ban will be effective for two weeks until further notice, it said. BRTA issued a circular in this connection on Wednesday (March 31, 2021) and sent the directives to the service providers. Also, the government on Wednesday raised the fares of all buses across the country by 60% as no public transport would be allowed to carry more than 50% of their capacity. Also read: Bangladesh reports record number of 5,358 new daily Covid cases; 52 deaths The Prime Minister's Office on Monday issued an 18-point directive for the next two weeks to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Bangladesh. The ministry proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rate, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on the same day. Bangladesh recorded 52 Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 hours until Wednesday, the highest single-day death toll in seven months. Also read: Best Ride Sharing Apps in Bangladesh Besides, the country's health authorities recorded over 5,000 fresh cases for the third straight day. The latest figures showed 5,358 new cases in the past 24 hours, which pushed the caseload to 611,295, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. This is the highest daily infection since the pandemic began. Read How to Use Ridesharing Vehicles Safely during COVID19 Pandemic 

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Tuesday said he hoped that the first piloting of the proposed bus route from Ghatarchar to Kanchpur will be completed within this year.