Motorbike crashes caused 41% of road deaths in March, says PWAB

A total of 612 people have died in 593 road accidents across Bangladesh in March, with nearly 41 percent of the fatalities caused by motorbike crashes, according to the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB).

The rights group shared the data in a statement on Thursday, saying 1,246 people were injured in the road accidents during the month.

Motorbike-related incidents accounted for 227 of the crashes, or 38.27 percent of the total.

These accidents left 251 people dead and 208 others injured.

In addition, 40 railway-related accidents killed 34 people and injured six, while eight waterway accidents left 18 people dead and one injured.

In total, 641 accidents across road, rail and waterways killed 664 people and injured 1,253 others.

The organisation said the statistics were compiled by analysing crash reports published in different media outlets.

According to the division-wise breakdown, Dhaka Division saw the highest number of road accidents, with 148 incidents that left 150 people dead and 364 others injured.

Barishal Division had the fewest road accidents—31 crashes that killed 31 people and injured 86.

The PWAB said 34.23 percent of the total crashes occurred on national highways, 23.44 percent on regional highways, and 37.26 percent on feeder roads.

The group blamed the crashes on the absence of traffic and highway police, lack of road signs, markings and lights, along with construction flaws on major highways.

To reduce road casualties, the PWAB has made eight recommendations.

These include banning the import and registration of small vehicles such as motorbikes and battery-run rickshaws, installing proper lighting for night-time highway travel, and ensuring fixed salaries and working hours for drivers.