300 families wiped out in road crashes over nearly 7 years: RSF

Nearly 300 families have been completely wiped out in road accidents over the past six years and 10 months, according to an analytical report by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF).

RSF Executive Director Saidur Rahman said the number of accidents in which entire families are killed together is increasing.

An analysis of road crashes between 2020 and October 2026 shows a growing number of incidents in which entire families, or several members of the same family, have died while travelling in motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, private cars, microbuses, ambulances and buses, he said.

Rahman said the report was prepared using information collected from nine national daily newspapers, 17 online news portals, electronic media and the foundation’s own database.

Motorcycle accidents

The analysis found 193 incidents in which both husband and wife were killed while travelling on motorcycles, and 159 incidents in which a father and child died.

In total, 386 people—husbands and wives—were killed in the 193 crashes, while 318 people—fathers and children—died in the 159 incidents.

Auto-rickshaw accidents

A total of 1,728 people were killed in 525 crashes involving battery-powered three-wheeled auto-rickshaws.

The report recorded the following incidents in which multiple members of the same family were killed while travelling in auto-rickshaws:

Two family members killed: 211 incidents

Three family members killed: 118 incidents

Four family members killed: 92 incidents

Five family members killed: 53 incidents

Six family members killed: 38 incidents

Seven family members killed: 13 incidents

Microbus accidents

The number of incidents in which multiple members of the same family were killed while travelling in microbuses was as follows:

Two family members killed: 48 incidents

Three family members killed: 46 incidents

Four family members killed: 39 incidents

Five family members killed: 28 incidents

Six family members killed: 20 incidents

Eleven family members killed: 4 incidents

Fourteen family members killed: 1 incident

A total of 708 people were killed in 186 road crashes involving microbuses.

Private car accidents

The report recorded the following incidents in which multiple members of the same family died while travelling in private cars:

Two family members killed: 34 incidents

Three family members killed: 31 incidents

Four family members killed: 24 incidents

Five family members killed: 19 incidents

A total of 352 people were killed in 108 private-car accidents.

Ambulance accidents

The number of incidents in which multiple members of the same family were killed while travelling in ambulances was as follows:

Two family members killed: 11 incidents

Three family members killed: 15 incidents

Four family members killed: 9 incidents

Five family members killed: 7 incidents

Eight family members killed: 3 incidents

A total of 162 people were killed in 45 ambulance accidents.

Bus accidents

The report found 17 incidents in which two members of the same family were killed, nine in which three members died, and six in which four members were killed while travelling on buses.

A total of 85 people were killed in 32 bus accidents.

Pickup van accident

In one incident, four members of the same family were killed after a pickup van lost control and overturned.

Causes and recommendations

The foundation identified several factors behind the growing number of accidents involving multiple members of the same family. These include the increasing tendency of families to travel together for work or leisure, the operation of auto-rickshaws on highways, and the poor roadworthiness of many microbuses and ambulances, which often lack valid fitness certificates.

Other contributing factors include inadequate driving skills among microbus and ambulance drivers, prolonged driving without sufficient rest, failure to use standard-quality helmets, reckless motorcycle driving and widespread disregard for traffic laws.