Accidents & Fires

8,543 killed on roads in 2024

Says Jatri Kalyan Samity; motorbikes account for one-third of accidents

The number of road crashes and fatalities in Bangladesh increased last year, with motorcycle-related incidents accounting for nearly one-third of all crashes and casualties, according to the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity.

At least 8,543 people were killed and 12,608 injured in 6,359 road crashes across the country in 2024, the organisation reported.

The organisation said 2,570 people were killed in 2,329 bike-related crashes last year, which accounted for 36.62 percent of total crashes and 30.08 percent of deaths.

The sharp rise in motorcycles and battery-run auto-rickshaws, along with the illegal operation of both speedy and slow-moving vehicles on highways, were blamed for the rise, said the organisation's secretary general Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury while revealing the annual report at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity yesterday.

The report comes amid a series of recent accidents on the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway. On December 27, at least six people lost their lives when a bus rammed into three other vehicles at the expressway's toll plaza in South Keraniganj

It was later found that the bus had no legal documents, including fitness clearance and route permit, while the driver had no valid licence.

The Samity identified 22 causes of road crashes, including unfit vehicles, reckless driving, and unskilled drivers. It also made 13 recommendations, including enacting a new road safety act and prioritising road safety measures.

Mozammel said despite the change in government, no significant improvement has been seen in the transportation sector.

"The control of extortion has merely shifted hands, while unfit vehicles continue to operate. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) focuses on revenue collection, and the traffic department competes to impose fines," he said.

Factors contributing to road crashes remain unaddressed. Meetings, speeches, and ads alone cannot resolve the crisis," he said.

RISE IN CRASHES, FATALITIES

The organisation reported a 1.56 percent rise in road crashes, an 8.11 percent increase in deaths, and a 21.56 percent surge in injuries compared to 2023.

In 2024, there were 6,359 crashes, 8,543 deaths, and 12,608 injuries, compared to 6,261 crashes, 7,902 deaths, and 10,372 injuries in 2023.

Additionally, 512 were killed and 315 were injured in 497 rail-related incidents, said the organisation.

Besides, riverway incidents resulted in 162 deaths and 267 injuries from 118 cases.

Among the road crash victims, 755 were students, 168 were members of law enforcement, 1,952 were drivers, 1,879 were pedestrians, 622 were transport workers, and 126 were teachers. Women and children accounted for 1,206 and 658 victims, respectively.

The organisation said 50.84 percent of deaths occurred when vehicles rammed pedestrians, 24.39 percent were killed in head-on collisions, and 18.92 percent died when vehicles fell into ditches.

Of the crashes, 35.67 percent occurred on national highways, 21.66 percent on regional highways, and 35.81 percent on feeder roads, it also reported.

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8,543 killed on roads in 2024

Says Jatri Kalyan Samity; motorbikes account for one-third of accidents

The number of road crashes and fatalities in Bangladesh increased last year, with motorcycle-related incidents accounting for nearly one-third of all crashes and casualties, according to the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity.

At least 8,543 people were killed and 12,608 injured in 6,359 road crashes across the country in 2024, the organisation reported.

The organisation said 2,570 people were killed in 2,329 bike-related crashes last year, which accounted for 36.62 percent of total crashes and 30.08 percent of deaths.

The sharp rise in motorcycles and battery-run auto-rickshaws, along with the illegal operation of both speedy and slow-moving vehicles on highways, were blamed for the rise, said the organisation's secretary general Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury while revealing the annual report at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity yesterday.

The report comes amid a series of recent accidents on the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway. On December 27, at least six people lost their lives when a bus rammed into three other vehicles at the expressway's toll plaza in South Keraniganj

It was later found that the bus had no legal documents, including fitness clearance and route permit, while the driver had no valid licence.

The Samity identified 22 causes of road crashes, including unfit vehicles, reckless driving, and unskilled drivers. It also made 13 recommendations, including enacting a new road safety act and prioritising road safety measures.

Mozammel said despite the change in government, no significant improvement has been seen in the transportation sector.

"The control of extortion has merely shifted hands, while unfit vehicles continue to operate. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) focuses on revenue collection, and the traffic department competes to impose fines," he said.

Factors contributing to road crashes remain unaddressed. Meetings, speeches, and ads alone cannot resolve the crisis," he said.

RISE IN CRASHES, FATALITIES

The organisation reported a 1.56 percent rise in road crashes, an 8.11 percent increase in deaths, and a 21.56 percent surge in injuries compared to 2023.

In 2024, there were 6,359 crashes, 8,543 deaths, and 12,608 injuries, compared to 6,261 crashes, 7,902 deaths, and 10,372 injuries in 2023.

Additionally, 512 were killed and 315 were injured in 497 rail-related incidents, said the organisation.

Besides, riverway incidents resulted in 162 deaths and 267 injuries from 118 cases.

Among the road crash victims, 755 were students, 168 were members of law enforcement, 1,952 were drivers, 1,879 were pedestrians, 622 were transport workers, and 126 were teachers. Women and children accounted for 1,206 and 658 victims, respectively.

The organisation said 50.84 percent of deaths occurred when vehicles rammed pedestrians, 24.39 percent were killed in head-on collisions, and 18.92 percent died when vehicles fell into ditches.

Of the crashes, 35.67 percent occurred on national highways, 21.66 percent on regional highways, and 35.81 percent on feeder roads, it also reported.

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