The northwestern district of Naogaon is witnessing a surge in road accidents, claiming the lives of at least 65 people and injuring over a hundred in the past year.
Authorities and experts attribute the accidents to reckless driving, unskilled drivers, and a tendency to overtake dangerously.
According to the Superintendent of Police Office in Naogaon, 47 road accidents occurred between January and November 2024, resulting in 51 fatalities and 32 injuries.
Media reports indicate that December alone added 14 more deaths and at least 15 injuries.
The rise in the use of unregistered vehicles such as votvoti, nasimon, korimon, sand trucks and battery-powered rickshaws is exacerbating the problem.
Most operators of these vehicles are untrained, leading to frequent accidents that claim lives or leave people seriously injured.
Lack of adherence to traffic rules, reckless speeds and poor overtaking practices are further aggravating the situation.
The unrestricted movement of illegal vehicles like CNG rickshaws, battery-powered three-wheelers, sand trucks and brick tractors, along with mismanagement in traffic enforcement, are cited as major contributors to the crisis by concerned citizens.
Bus drivers, often accused of reckless driving, shift the blame onto other vehicles on the roads.
Speaking at Baludanga Bus Terminal in Naogaon, bus drivers pointed fingers at the uncontrolled presence of unregistered vehicles like votvoti, nasimon and CNG rickshaws, accusing their untrained drivers of creating chaos and leading to accidents.
One driver said: “The main reason for road accidents is the illegal operation of vehicles like votvoti and nasimon. Their drivers lack training and do not understand road etiquette. They don’t give way even when signaled, leading to dangerous situations. These vehicles need to be banned to reduce accidents.”
ASM Raihan Alam, president of the Naogaon chapter of Nirapad Sharak Chai (We Demand Safe Roads), emphasized the need for greater awareness and respect for traffic laws.
He highlighted that attentiveness is key to safe driving.
“Drivers must focus entirely on the road and their vehicle to minimize accidents,” he said.
Naogaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Safiul Sarwar noted that efforts are underway to address the issue.
"We are conducting operations to curb unlicensed drivers and unregister vehicles. Additionally, awareness campaigns are ongoing to educate drivers, helpers, and the public about road safety," he said.
Experts believe a collective effort involving stricter law enforcement, public awareness, and the removal of illegal vehicles is essential to curb the rising number of road accidents in Naogaon.