Summary:
- Bangladesh recorded 8,543 deaths and 12,608 injuries from 6,359 road accidents in 2024, showing increases of 7.50% in deaths and 17.73% in injuries compared to 2023.
- Motorcycle accidents dominated with 36.62% of total crashes, causing 2,570 deaths and 3,151 injuries in 2,329 incidents throughout the year.
- The 11-year period (2014-2024) saw 60,980 road accidents resulting in 105,338 deaths and 149,847 injuries, with most accidents occurring on regional highways.
- The government implemented Speed Limit Guideline 2024 in May, setting an 80 km/h maximum speed limit for highways to enhance road safety measures.
Bangladesh witnessed a significant increase in road accidents and fatalities in 2024, with 8,543 people losing their lives and 12,608 sustaining injuries in 6,359 road crashes across the country.
The alarming statistics, released by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday, reveal a concerning upward trend in road safety incidents. The figures represent a 1.54 percent increase in crashes, a 7.50 percent rise in deaths, and a 17.73 percent surge in injuries compared to the previous year.
Motorcycle accidents have emerged as a major concern, accounting for 36.62 percent of total crashes. These incidents resulted in 2,570 deaths and 3,151 injuries in 2,329 separate accidents, contributing to 30.08 percent of total fatalities and 24.99 percent of all injuries recorded in 2024.
The comprehensive report, presented by Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, also highlighted broader transportation safety concerns. Beyond road accidents, 497 railway accidents claimed 512 lives and left 315 injured, while 118 waterway accidents resulted in 182 deaths, 267 injuries, and 155 people missing.
This latest data adds to a troubling long-term pattern. Over the past 11 years (2014-2024), Bangladesh has recorded 60,980 road accidents, resulting in 105,338 deaths and 149,847 injuries. The majority of these accidents occurred on regional highways (37.59%), national highways (31.76%), and feeder roads (22.54%).
In response to these challenges, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) implemented the Speed Limit Guideline 2024 in May, establishing a national maximum speed limit of 80 km/h for highways and introducing specific limits for urban areas. “The government has notified the speed limit guidelines for strengthening road safety. By doing this we intend to reduce the number of road crashes and save countless lives lost on the roads each year,” stated Secretary Mr. Md. Nuri.
The Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity has called for comprehensive reforms in the transport sector, emphasizing the need for a dedicated reform commission to address these critical safety concerns.
Source: The Daily Star
