Road accidents during Eid-ul-Azha this year have reached the highest level in five years, according to a recent report by the Road Safety Foundation.
The Foundation’s research, based on data from nine national newspapers, seven online news portals, electronic media, and its own sources, shows a significant rise compared to previous years.
In just 12 days surrounding Eid-ul-Azha this year, there were nearly 350 road accidents.
These accidents, which included women and children among the victims, claimed the lives of 312 people — an average of 26 deaths per day, as per the research.
Compared to last year, fatalities during this year's Eid-ul-Azha increased by 29.03%.
According to Road Safety Foundation, the primary causes of these accidents are poor road management and reckless, unsafe driving on roads and highways during Eid holidays.
According to data from media and hospitals, between June 3 and June 14 (12 days before and after Eid-ul-Azha), 1,057 people were seriously injured (among the deceased: 47 were women, and 63 were children).
The estimated human resource loss from these road accidents amounted to Tk1,218.72 crore.
Record Eid-ul-Azha road accidents in five years
According to Road Safety Foundation, this year saw the highest number of road accidents during Eid-ul-Azha in five years — with 312 people killed and 1,057 injured.
In comparison, in 2024, there were 251 accidents resulting in 262 deaths; in 2023, 303 accidents led to 324 deaths; in 2022, 274 deaths occurred; and in 2021, 158 accidents resulted in 207 fatalities.
Road Safety Foundation data shows that during Eid-ul-Azha, the highest number of road accidents and casualties occurred in the Dhaka division, with 116 accidents resulting in 87 deaths.
Of these, Dhaka city alone saw 38 road accidents, leading to 6 deaths and 53 injuries. In contrast, Sylhet division recorded the fewest with 13 accidents and 14 deaths.
Among districts, Faridpur had the highest number, 27 accidents with 19 deaths. Chapainawabganj had the lowest, where despite a few accidents, there were no fatalities.
Motorcycles see most fatalities
According to Road Safety Foundation’s vehicle-based analysis, motorcycles were involved in the highest number of accidents and fatalities.
Out of 589 involved vehicles, 128 road accidents involved motorcycles, resulting in the deaths of 107 riders and passengers.
Additionally, 9 pedestrians were killed after being struck by reckless motorcycles.
Among those involved in motorcycle accidents, 54.20% were aged between 14 and 20 — mostly teenage and young riders driving recklessly.
Other vehicle-related fatalities include:
- 114 bus accidents caused 33 deaths
- 89 truck/covered van/pickup accidents resulted in 18 deaths
- 49 private car/microbus/ambulance accidents caused 11 deaths
- 126 three-wheeler accidents (eg, auto-rickshaws, easy bikes) caused 73 deaths
- 41 accidents involving locally made vehicles (eg, nasimon, Mahindra) caused 20 deaths
- 13 bicycle/rickshaw accidents resulted in 6 deaths
Additionally, 9 waterway accidents resulted in 10 deaths and 8 injuries, while 32 rail accidents caused 21 deaths and 17 injuries.
Highways see more accidents
Road Safety Foundation’s analysis reveals that the majority of accidents during the 12-day Eid period (June 3–14) occurred on national highways.
Of all accidents, 136 (39.19%) happened on national highways.
In comparison, 121 accidents occurred on regional roads, 34 on rural roads, and 56 on urban roads.
Leading cause
According to Road Safety Foundation, most road accidents during the Eid holiday were caused by loss of control.
A total of 163 accidents occurred due to vehicles losing control.
Other causes included 81 head-on collisions, 46 pedestrian knockdowns, 51 rear-end collisions, and 6 incidents due to other reasons.
What do experts say?
Despite the rising number of road accidents and deaths, awareness remains low.
Saidur Rahman, executive director of Road Safety Foundation, said: “We do not have sufficient safe and quality public transport to accommodate the huge number of passengers during the 4-5 days of Eid travel. As a result, people are forced to travel on risky vehicles and fall victim to accidents.
"Many accidents also occur due to irresponsibility and lack of awareness.”
He emphasized the need for a mid-term (at least 3-year) integrated and sustainable plan across road, rail, and waterways to ensure safe and orderly Eid travel.
He suggested that increasing the number of trains by upgrading and expanding the railway, improving river routes, and increasing the number of BRTC buses by expanding their routes would ease pressure on roads.
"Additionally, all unfit and faulty vehicles must be removed. If these initiatives are properly implemented, future Eid journeys can be safe," Saidur added.
He also stressed the need to define the terms of employment, salaries, and working hours of drivers and improve traffic management on highways.
Most importantly, the Road Transport Act 2018 must be implemented without obstruction, he said.
Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary general of the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, added: “To reduce road accidents and travel sufferings, long-term planning is required along with extended public holidays.
"Above all, we must enhance the capacity of public transport and its management, eliminate small vehicles from highways, ensure skilled drivers, remove unfit vehicles, improve road quality, and ensure strict enforcement of the law.”
