The death toll from road accidents continues to rise across Bangladesh. Sylhet Division was also hit by a significant number of road crashes in July, with 16 people killed and another 53 injured in 17 separate accidents across the division’s four districts.
The figures were revealed in a report on road accidents for July published by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
The report, signed by BRTA Chairman Mohammad Habibur Rahman, was released on Sunday, August 16, presenting an overview of road accidents across the country.
According to the report, Bangladesh recorded a total of 441 road accidents in July, leaving 418 people dead and 539 injured. Motorcycles accounted for the highest number of fatalities among vehicles, with 109 deaths.
At the divisional level, Chattogram recorded the highest number of accidents in July, with 126 crashes resulting in 106 deaths and 146 injuries. In Dhaka Division, 104 accidents claimed 101 lives and injured 122 people.
Rajshahi Division recorded 56 accidents, with 57 people killed and 42 injured. Khulna reported 42 accidents, resulting in 39 deaths and 86 injuries. Barishal recorded 21 accidents, leaving 16 people dead and 53 injured. Rangpur reported 50 accidents, with 54 deaths and 27 injuries, while Mymensingh recorded 25 accidents, resulting in 29 deaths and 25 injuries.
The BRTA report said a total of 673 vehicles were involved in road accidents across the country in July. These included 18 cars or jeeps, 106 buses or minibuses, 142 trucks or covered vans, 35 pickup trucks, eight microbuses, five ambulances, 124 motorcycles, 20 vans, eight tractors, 21 easy bikes, 28 battery-powered rickshaws, 57 CNG auto-rickshaws and 101 other vehicles.
Motorcycles accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 109 people killed in motorcycle-related crashes. Other fatalities included eight in car or jeep accidents, 45 in bus or minibus crashes, 56 in truck or covered-van accidents, 16 in pickup crashes, five in microbus accidents and three in ambulance-related accidents.
In addition, 12 people were killed in van accidents, four in tractor crashes, 15 in easy-bike accidents, 14 in battery-powered rickshaw crashes, 40 in CNG auto-rickshaw accidents and 91 in accidents involving other types of vehicles.
The overall statistics indicate that road accidents and fatalities remained a serious concern in Bangladesh in July. The high number of deaths involving motorcycles and other vehicles highlights the urgent need to strengthen road safety measures across the country.
