At least 231 children, aged between one month and 17 years, were killed in road accidents across the country during the first three months of 2026.
A report by Seba Bangladesh Foundation revealed that mismanagement in the road transport sector and a lack of awareness regarding traffic laws have led to an alarming level of casualties among children.
The foundation compiled the report based on information from 11 national dailies, 13 national and regional online news portals, and electronic media.
Analysis of fatalities
According to an analysis of road accidents fatalities, 113 children (48.91%) died while acting as passengers, drivers, or helpers of various vehicles. Meanwhile, 118 children (91.08%) were killed as pedestrians after being hit or crushed by vehicles.
Among these pedestrian deaths, three-wheelers and locally made vehicles like Nosimon-Bhotbhoti were responsible for the highest number of fatalities, claiming 49 lives (41.52%).
Buses and goods-carrying vehicles were involved in the deaths of 44 children (37.28%), while reckless motorcycles killed 14 (11.86%), and private cars, microbuses, ambulances, or jeeps were responsible for 11 deaths (9.32%).
Vulnerability of age groups
An age-based breakdown of the victims shows that the highest number of fatalities occurred in the 13 to 17 years age group, with 104 deaths (45.02%).
Besides, 86 children (37.22%) aged between 6 and 12 years and 41 children (17.74%) aged between one month and five years lost their lives.
The report further noted that 85 deaths (36.79%) occurred on regional roads, 56 (24.24%) on rural roads, 52 (22.51%) on highways, and 38 (16.45%) on urban roads.
In terms of timing, the highest frequency of accidents was recorded at noon (68), followed by the morning (61) and afternoon (57). Other accidents were recorded in the evening (22), at night (17), and at dawn (6).
Underlying causes, systemic failures
The Seba Bangladesh Foundation identified several factors for the rising death toll, including the lack of child-friendly road infrastructure, a lack of awareness among children, and the absence of safety training within families and educational institutions.
Other significant causes include the operation of vehicles by unskilled or underage drivers, a crisis in suitable medical treatment for injured children, and the financial insolvency of families to provide such care.
The report observed that many fatalities occurred while children were commuting to and from school or playing near their homes. It highlighted that regional and rural roads are often adjacent to residential areas, yet these roads lack law enforcement presence to manage traffic, leading to reckless driving.
The foundation concluded that the loss of these children, who represent the future of the nation, is an irreparable loss caused by systemic mismanagement.
