281 killed in road accidents during Eid-ul-Adha travels: Road Safety Foundation

At least 281 people have been killed in road accidents across Bangladesh during the Eid-ul-Adha travels this year, according to a report by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF).

In a statement today (4 June), the organisation said the deaths occurred between 21 May and 2 June, during which 292 road accidents were reported nationwide.

According to data, motorcycles remained the deadliest mode of transport, with 124 deaths recorded in 141 motorcycle crashes. The fatalities accounted for more than 44% of all road deaths during the period.

The RSF also recorded 13 waterway accidents that left eight people dead and 15 injured, while 22 railway accidents killed 17 people and injured nine others.

The foundation's analysis shows that 97 crashes occurred on national highways, 112 on regional roads, 42 on rural roads and 37 on urban roads. Data shows that Dhaka division recorded the highest number of crashes and fatalities, with 95 accidents killing 101 people.

Sylhet division recorded the lowest toll, with nine accidents and seven deaths.

The report highlighted several major incidents during the Eid travel rush, including a crash in Tangail's Kalihati Upazila in which a rod-laden truck overturned, killing 15 labourers.

It also noted 13 serious crashes involving vehicles colliding with stationary vehicles on expressways and highways.

The organisation identified reckless speeding, defective vehicles, inadequate driver training, poor traffic management and risky motorcycle riding by young people as major contributors to road crashes.

Road Safety Foundation also called for a long-term transport strategy centred on railway expansion, improved public transport services, stronger regulatory oversight and greater investment in road safety infrastructure.