Road crash fatalities jump 57pc in June

The number of road accidents in the country rose by 56 percent and fatalities by 57 percent in June compared to May, according to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, a passengers’ welfare organisation, reports UNB.

During this time, 368 people were killed and 518 others injured in 358 road, railway and waterway accidents. Fifteen people were killed in 20 accidents on the railways and 45 died in 17 accidents on the waterways, the Samity said in a report on Sunday.

The report was published after analysing accident reports published in the country's national and regional dailies and online media.

Among those killed in road accidents in June, 162 were drivers, 125 transport workers, 113 pedestrians, 62 women, 57 law enforcement members, 28 children, 23 students, 11 political leaders and seven teachers, a  doctor, a freedom fighter, and an engineer.

The statistics show that 48.6 percent of the total accidents in June were on regional highways, 31.56 percent on national highways and 13.96 percent on feeder roads.

Besides, 2.79 percent of the total accidents in the country occurred in the capital city, 1.95 percent in Chattogram city and 1.12 percent in rail crossings.

Compared to May, the number of road accidents has increased by 56.14 percent, deaths by 57.34 percent and injuries by 43.82 percent in June.

The association has complained that the number of road accidents and deaths is increasing due to irregularities, corruption and lack of accountability of the agencies responsible for road safety.

It also called for modernisation of the traffic system, licensing and fitness of vehicles to keep pace with the developed world.

A total of 8,543 people were killed and 14,318 others injured in 6,210 road, railway and waterway accidents across the country last year, according the association.