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Published : 07 Jun 2026, 05:08 PM
Road accidents across Bangladesh during Eid-ul-Azha holidays claimed 402 lives in 394 incidents, with nearly 29 percent of the deaths resulting from motorcycle crashes, according to a report by the Passenger Welfare Association of Banglades (PWAB).
The organisation compiled the statistics by analysing accident reports published in various media outlets.
Presenting the findings at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday, the association’s secretary general, Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, highlighted key aspects of the report.
He said road accidents increased by 3.95 percent, fatalities by 3.7 percent, and injuries by 9.47 percent compared with last year's Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
During Eid-ul-Azha 2025, a total of 379 road accidents left 390 people dead and 1,182 injured.
The association also reported that 23 people were killed and 30 injured in 31 railway accidents across the country during the Eid period. On waterways, 17 accidents claimed 13 lives and injured 16 others.
Mozammel said rainfall had created numerous potholes on roads and highways across the country, contributing to a rise in motorcycle accidents, alongside reckless driving.
According to the report, motorcycles remained the deadliest mode of transport, as in previous years. During this year's Eid travel, 153 motorcycle accidents killed 159 people and injured 180 others, accounting for 38.83 percent of all road crashes.
Among the road crash victims were 80 drivers, 89 transport workers, 59 pedestrians, 64 women, 45 children, 66 students, five members of law enforcing agencies, three teachers, one physician, three journalists, one engineer, and four activists of different political parties.
The report found that motorcycles were involved in 28.90 percent of the accidents, followed by trucks and covered vans at 21.40 percent , buses at 16.56 percent, battery-powered rickshaws at 12.34 percent, cars and microbuses at 7.81 percent, Nasimon-Karimon (local three wheelers) vehicles at 6.56 percent, and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws at 6.40 percent.
The Passenger Welfare Association identified several factors behind the accidents.
> Unrestricted movement of motorcycles, battery-powered rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws on national highways.
> Lack of road signs, road markings, and street lighting on highways, causing vehicles from feeder roads to enter suddenly.
> Absence of medians or road dividers and blind curves created by roadside vegetation.
> Defective highway design, vehicle faults, and widespread violations of traffic laws.
> Wrong-way driving, extortion on roads, and the use of goods vehicles for passenger transport.
> Inexperienced drivers, unfit vehicles, and overloading of passengers.
> Reckless driving and operating vehicles without adequate rest.
>Potholes and damaged roads caused by rainfall.
> Excessive transport fares forcing low-income passengers to travel on the roofs of buses, trucks, and cargo vehicles, increasing accident risks.
To reduce fatalities and travel disruptions during future Eid holidays, the association proposed a series of measures:
>Formulate and implement short-, medium-, and long-term plans for Eid travel management.
> Develop a modern nationwide bus network modelled on those in developed countries.
> Introduce technology-based road traffic management systems.
> Ensure drivers receive advanced technical training before obtaining licences.
> Build service lanes and footpaths along major national highways.
> Undertake structural reforms to eliminate extortion on roads and ensure fair wages and regulated working hours for drivers.
> Provide footpaths, pedestrian crossing facilities, road signs, and road markings on highways.
> Ensure quality road construction and maintenance and conduct regular road safety audits.
> Modernise the vehicle fitness certification process and phase out expired public transport vehicles.
> Strengthen the capacity of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and establish a dedicated traffic training academy.
> End the monopoly of transport owners’ associations and workers’ federations in managing the transport sector.
