‘Hectic’ Eid trips led to ‘more accidents, casualties’: Passenger Welfare Association

A total of 390 people have been killed and another 1,182 injured in 379 road accidents in the 15 days before and after Eid-ul-Azha, according to the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB).

If rail and river accidents are also taken into account, the number of accidents jumps to 415, while the number of deaths rises to 427 and the number of injuries to 1,194.

The PWAB’s report says that, compared to last year’s Eid-ul-Azha, the number of accidents increased by 22.65 percent this time, while deaths shot up by 16.7 percent and the number of injuries by 55.11 percent. There were 309 road accidents last year, with 336 deaths and 762 injuries.

As there were only two days off ahead of Eid, many holidaymakers travelled home at the same time, giving rise to an increase in the number of accidents and fatalities, the PWAB said.

As such, the organisation has recommended extending the holidays ahead of Eid to four days in order to cut down on the number of accidents.

The association's Secretary General Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury released the report on road accidents during Eid journeys at a press conference at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday.

The report covers data on accidents over the 15-day stretch from May 31, the first day of the Eid travel rush, to Jun 14, when they returned to workplaces before Eid. As always, the report has been prepared by compiling accident news from the media.

The report adds that 25 people were killed and 12 were injured in 25 railway accidents while, 12 people were killed and six went missing in 11 river accidents.

MOTORCYCLES MOST LIKELY TO BE IN ACCIDENTS

As always, motorcycles are the most likely vehicle to be involved in road accidents, the report said.

A total of 134 motorcycle accidents -- 35.35 percent of total road accidents -- were recorded over the period, accounting for 147 deaths and 148 injuries.

There were no restrictions on the movement of motorcycles on roads during Eid and a large number of people returned to Dhaka by motorcycle.

Among those killed in the road accidents were 61 drivers, 50 transport workers, 58 pedestrians, 40 women, 30 children, 32 students, seven law enforcers, five teachers, a doctor, an engineer, and eight leaders and activists of different political parties, according to the PWAB.

Of the vehicles involved in accidents, 26.54 percent were motorcycles, 18.58 percent were buses, 13.62 percent were battery-powered rickshaws, 19.11 percent were trucks-covered vans, 7.43 percent were cars-microbuses, 7.61 percent were three-wheelers, and 7.07 percent were CNG-powered autorickshaws.

The causes of the accidents have been reported as pedestrians being hit by vehicles in 40.63 percent of cases, head-on collisions between vehicles in 28.23 percent of cases, vehicles veering into ditches in 20.05 percent, collisions between trains and vehicles in 0.79 percent, and unknown causes in 10.29 percent of crashes.

The PWAB says 37.20 percent of the total accidents occurred on national highways, 28.23 percent on regional highways, and 28.49 percent on feeder roads. In addition, 4.48 percent of all accidents occurred in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area, 0.79 percent in the Chattogram Metropolitan Area, and 0.79 percent at railway crossings.

Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated on Jun 7. Before Eid, the government announced a 10-day holiday break from Jun 5 to Jun 14. Many private institutions, including banks and NGOs, also gave days off in line with the government.

‘HECTIC TRIPS’ LED TO ‘ACCIDENTS, CASUALTIES’

At the press conference, PWAB’s Mozammel said: "Small and large potholes have been created on the country's roads and highways due to rain. Recklessly driven vehicles have fallen into these potholes.

"Most of the accidents after Eid have occurred due to reckless, uninterrupted driving. As a result, most of these accidents involved vehicles falling into ditches or hitting standing trucks."

Fare extortion and passenger harassment reached their peak this Eid as well, he said. Due to the unfair prices charged by public transport, many poor people had to travel on the roofs of buses or trains, on open trucks and cargo transports, putting their lives at risk.

"A long-term plan is needed for Eid travel management. First of all, we need to increase the capacity of public transport and management, and small vehicles need to be barred from the highways. It is important to ensure trained and skilled drivers, fit vehicles, quality roads, and proper rule of law.”

WHAT CAUSES ACCIDENTS?

The PWAB cites several causes for these accidents:

More people taking to the roads at once due to fewer days off before Eid, creating a hectic situation.

Motorcycles, battery-powered rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws freely plying on roads and highways.

Lack of road signs or road markings and road lights on national highways leading to accidents when vehicles enter from feeder roads.

No barriers or road dividers as well as shadows cast by trees on roads.

Defects in highway construction, vehicle disrepair, and a tendency to disobey traffic laws.

Vehicles travelling on the wrong side of the road, fare extortion, transporting passengers in freight vehicles.

Unfit drivers on unfit vehicles carrying excess passengers.

Reckless driving and driving vehicles without.

Rain creating potholes on roads and other forms of road disrepair.

To address the number of accidents, the organisation recommends:

Restrict the import and registration of motorcycles and battery-powered rickshaws.

Provide lighting at night on national and regional highways.

Take initiatives to create skilled drivers, provide digital fitness services.

Establish service lanes, including footpaths, on important national highways.

Stop extortion on roads, fix driver salary and working hours.

Build footpaths and pedestrian crossings on highways. Install road signs and road markings.

Implement the Road Transport Act with digital technology according to models used in the developed world.

Develop a high-quality modern bus network across the country and increase the capacity of regulatory agencies.

Ensure quality road construction and repairs, conduct regular road safety audits.

Take initiatives to scrap expired public transport vehicles and those that have not been fit for a long time.

Initiatives should be taken to extend the Eid holiday to four days ahead of Eid to allow smoother trips.

VAT and income tax should be exempted for drivers undergoing training.