583 killed in road accidents across the country in April: JKS

583 people were killed and 1,202 injured in 567 road accidents across the country in April.

This information was shared in a press release signed by Mohammad Mojammel Haque Chowdhury, Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS), on Tuesday (May 6).

The association's accident monitoring cell collected this data through media observation.

The association reported that in the same month, 35 accidents on railways resulted in 35 deaths and 5 injuries. On waterways, 8 accidents caused 10 deaths and 1 person went missing. In total, 610 accidents occurred across road, rail, and water transport, killing 628 people and injuring 1,207. Of these, 215 motorcycle accidents caused 229 deaths and 224 injuries.

Chattogram Division witnessed the most road accidents in April, with 138 accidents leading to 136 deaths and 377 injuries. Sylhet Division had the fewest accidents, with 28 accidents, 31 deaths, and 51 injuries.

The report lists several causes for the road accidents in April, including the unrestricted movement of motorcycles and battery-operated rickshaws on national highways; the lack of road signs or markings and streetlights on national highways, which puts drivers at risk, especially at night; accidents due to lack of turning signs on national, regional, and feeder roads; construction defects on highways, faulty vehicles, traffic rule violations; driving against traffic, extortion on roads, passenger transport in goods vehicles; unskilled drivers, unfit vehicles, overcrowded vehicles, reckless driving, and drivers working long hours.

The report suggests several recommendations to prevent accidents, such as, Immediately halting the import and registration of motorcycles and auto-rickshaws. Installing proper street lighting on national and regional highways for night travel. Initiating skilled driver training programs and providing vehicles with digital fitness certification. Creating separate lanes for slow and fast-moving vehicles. Stopping extortion on roads and ensuring fixed salaries and working hours for drivers. Ensuring pedestrian walkways and crossings on highways, placing road signs and markings. Strict digital enforcement of road transport laws. Building a modern bus network and increasing the capacity of the BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority). Ensuring quality road construction and repairs, conducting regular road safety audits, and scrapping outdated or unfit public transport vehicles.