20 including inbound tourists killed daily on average in road accidents during Eid travel: RSF

During the long 10-day Eid holidays this year, thousands of inbound tourists visited different popular tourism spots across the country to celebrate the religious festival amid festivity and serenity with family members.

But unfortunately many of them could not return home alive as a number of them were killed in road mishaps during the long holiday period.

According to the Road Safety Foundation, on average, 20 people including inbound tourists were killed every day in road accidents during the recent Eid-ul-Fitr travel period.

The organisation said a total of 298 people, including a number of tourists, died in 373 road crashes across Bangladesh during the 15-day period from March 14 to March 28, covering pre- and post-Eid journeys. Among the victims were 46 women and 67 children.

The report, released on Thursday and based on data from nine national newspapers, 17 online news portals, electronic media, and the foundation’s own monitoring, showed that more than 2,000 people were also injured in the accidents.

Compared to last year’s Eid travel period, when 249 people were killed in 257 crashes over 11 days, the average daily death toll slightly decreased from 22 to 20.

Motorcycles accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 116 riders and passengers killed. Other victims included bus passengers (41), three-wheeler users such as CNGs and auto-rickshaws (50), truck and pickup occupants (13), private car and microbus passengers (20), locally made vehicle users such as nosimon and tomtom riders (9), and cyclists (2).

Regionally, Chattogram division recorded the highest share of accidents and fatalities, followed by Dhaka division.

The report said 30.83% of crashes occurred on national highways, 43.16% on regional roads, 12.86% on rural roads, 11.26% in urban areas, and 1.87% near ferry terminals and other locations.

In terms of timing, accidents occurred most frequently in the morning and at night, with a significant portion also recorded in the afternoon and evening.

Earlier, Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity reported 377 transport-related accidents during the Eid period, resulting in 394 deaths and 1,288 injuries across road, rail, and waterways.

The Road Safety Foundation identified 10 major causes behind road crashes, including vehicle defects, speeding, driver fatigue and incompetence, poor enforcement of traffic laws, mixed traffic on highways, unfit vehicles, weak traffic management, and corruption in the transport sector.

The organization also urged a long-term, integrated transport strategy, including rail and water transport expansion, improved bus services, phased industrial holidays for garment workers, and better traffic planning to reduce Eid travel pressure.

Executive Director of the Road Safety Foundation, Saidur Rahman, said political commitment, stronger policy enforcement, and safety education are essential to building a safer transport system.

The report also made 12 recommendations, including institutional reforms in transport authorities, modernization of vehicles, removal of unfit vehicles, expansion of public transport, improved driver training, dedicated service roads, railway crossing safety upgrades, and creation of a unified transport ministry.