546 people killed in road accidents in January: Passenger Welfare Association

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association said that 546 people were killed and 1,204 people were injured in 552 road accidents in the country in January. 

At the same time, 33 people were killed and 28 were injured in 37 railway accidents and 7 people were killed, 6 were injured and 3 people were missing in 8 accidents on the waterways. 

As a result, a total of 597 accidents on road, rail and waterways claimed the lives of 586 people and injured 1,238.

This information was given in a press release signed by the organisation's Secretary General Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury on Sunday. 

The report was prepared by monitoring accident news published in national, regional and online media.

According to the report, 223 people were killed and 132 injured in 209 motorcycle accidents in January, which is 37.86 percent of the total accidents and 40.84 percent of the total fatalities. 

A division-wise analysis shows that the highest number of road accidents occurred in Dhaka division, resulting in 133 deaths and 328 injuries. 

On the other hand, the lowest number of accidents occurred in Sylhet division, resulting in 28 deaths and 63 injuries in 29 accidents.

Among the victims of road accidents, 131 drivers, 89 pedestrians, 79 students, 62 women, 67 children and 53 transport workers were identified. 

The deceased included 127 drivers, 89 pedestrians, 54 women, 48 children, 57 students, 21 transport workers, 8 teachers and people of various professions.

During this period, out of the 829 vehicles involved in accidents, 28.46 percent were motorcycles, 23.64 percent were trucks-pickups-covered vans-lorries, 14.35 percent were buses, 13.63 percent were battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes, and 5.54 percent were CNG-powered auto-rickshaws.

Analysis of the accident types shows that 48.36 percent were hit by a car, 28.62 percent were head-on collisions, and 16.84 percent were lost control and fell into a ditch. 

In addition, 42.57 percent of accidents occurred on national highways, 27.89 percent on regional highways, and 24.09 percent on feeder roads.

The organisation blamed the main causes of accidents on policy weaknesses in road transport management, incompetent drivers, unfit vehicles, reckless speeding, violation of traffic laws, vehicles moving in the opposite direction, uncontrolled movement of battery-powered auto-rickshaws and Nachimon-Karimon, and lack of adequate road signs and dividers on the highways.

The organisation recommended following the policies of developed countries to prevent accidents, initiatives to create skilled drivers, issuing vehicle fitness certificates digitally, enforcing laws through CCTV, providing service lanes and pedestrian crossings on highways, developing a modern bus network, and conducting regular road safety audits.