502 people killed in road accidents in August: BJKS

A total of 502 people were killed and 1,232 injured in 497 road accidents across Bangladesh during the month of August, according to a report released by the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS).

The findings, presented in a press release signed by the organization’s Secretary General Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, also highlight fatalities across other modes of transport. The report documented 34 railway accidents resulting in 34 deaths, and 21 waterway incidents that left 27 dead, 22 injured, and 13 missing. In total, 552 transport-related accidents claimed 563 lives and injured 1,261 individuals.

Motorcycles accounted for a significant share of the casualties, with 165 accidents causing 176 deaths and 144 injuries. These incidents represented 33.19% of total accidents, 35.05% of fatalities, and 11.68% of injuries.

The highest number of road accidents occurred in Dhaka Division, where 132 incidents led to 128 deaths and 333 injuries. Barishal Division recorded the fewest, with 15 accidents resulting in 14 deaths and 22 injuries.

Among those affected were, 162 drivers, 82 pedestrians, 97 students, 95 women, 42 children, 19 transport workers, 11 teachers, 12 law enforcement officers, 3 journalists, 1 freedom fighter, 1 lawyer and 26 political activists.

Of the deceased, the report identified; 142 transport drivers, 82 pedestrians, 73 women, 38 children, 51 students, 7 transport workers, 7 teachers, 11 political activists, 1 police officer, 1 army personnel, 1 fire service member, 1 freedom fighter and 1 lawyer.

The Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti (BJKS) has called for urgent reforms in road safety management, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and improved public awareness to reduce the alarming rate of transport-related fatalities.