This year’s Eid-ul-Fitr journey witnessed a sharp increase in road accidents, soaring by 31.25% compared to the previous year’s figures.
According to data revealed by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity Secretary General Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, a total of 399 road accidents resulted in 407 fatalities and left 1,398 others injured. These statistics were compiled from the road accident monitoring cell of the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB), spanning the period from April 4, the beginning of the Eid trip, until April 18, when people returned to work after Eid.
In addition to road accidents, railway and waterway accidents also contributed to the grim toll. Railway accidents claimed 24 lives and caused 21 injuries, while waterway accidents resulted in seven deaths and five injuries. In total, 419 accidents across road, rail, and sea claimed 438 lives and left 1,424 individuals injured.
Comparing these figures to last year’s Eid-ul-Fitr journey, the stark increase in accidents is evident. Road accidents alone surged by 31.25%, fatalities by 24.08%, and injuries by a staggering 147.43%.
The report sheds light on persistent challenges such as extra fare collection and passenger harassment during Eid travels, exacerbated this year by a 20% increase in travelers due to an extended holiday period. The unrestricted movement of motorcycles on the Padma Bridge facilitated a 7.5% increase in motorcycle passengers, despite their significant contribution to accidents.
Motorcycles emerged as the leading cause of accidents, accounting for nearly half of all road accidents, fatalities, and injuries. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address road safety issues and ensure the well-being of travelers during festive seasons.
