Bangladesh recorded a sharp rise in road fatalities in October, with 441 people killed and 1,128 injured in 486 accidents, according to a report released by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) on Wednesday.
The daily average of deaths increased by 5.75 per cent from 13.9 in September to 14.7 in October, reflecting a worsening trend in road safety.
Among the victims were 57 women and 63 children, showing the disproportionate vulnerability of these groups.
The RSF compiled the data from national newspapers, online news portals, television channels, and its own field reports. It identified defective vehicles, poor road conditions, reckless speeding, inadequate driver training, and weak enforcement of traffic laws as major causes of the rising accidents.
To curb fatalities, the foundation recommended expanding driver training programmes, introducing standardised working hours for drivers, installing road dividers, tightening traffic enforcement, modernising public transport, and launching widespread road safety awareness campaigns. It also stressed the need for technology-based monitoring systems and driver motivation initiatives.
Motorcycles were linked to the highest number of fatalities, with 137 deaths in 192 accidents, accounting for 31 per cent of total deaths. Pedestrians accounted for 98 deaths (22.2%), while drivers and their assistants made up 62 deaths (14%).
Waterway incidents claimed 11 lives, with four people reported missing, and 43 people were killed in 46 rail-related accidents.
Three-wheelers such as CNGs, auto-rickshaws, and school vans caused 103 deaths, while buses were responsible for 30 deaths. Locally used light vehicles like Nosimon and TomTom were involved in 34 deaths.
Trucks, vans, and pickups caused 24 fatalities, private cars and microbuses seven, and rickshaw and bicycle passengers eight.
National highways saw the highest proportion of accidents at 34.15 per cent, followed by regional roads at 30.45 per cent, urban roads at 17.9 per cent, and rural roads at 16.66 per cent.
The leading causes of accidents were loss of vehicle control at 44.65 per cent, pedestrian collisions at 21.19 per cent, head-on collisions at 20.37 per cent, and rear-end collisions at 12.34 per cent.
Accidents occurred most frequently in the morning, accounting for 26.33 per cent, and at night, accounting for 23.45 per cent.
Dhaka Division recorded the highest fatalities, with 112 deaths from 121 accidents, while Sylhet Division reported the fewest, with 24 deaths from 26 accidents.
Students were the most affected group, with 51 deaths. Other casualties included 14 teachers, four police personnel, one RAB member, two journalists, and three engineers, highlighting the widespread social impact of road accidents nationwide.
