534 killed in accidents in Jan

Staff Reporter :
At least 534 people were killed and 4,462 injured in road, rail and waterway accidents across the country in the month of January, according to the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS).

According to the organization, some 486 people were killed and 1,054 injured in 521 road accidents in January.

However, 42 people were killed and 21 others injured in 44 different accidents on railways, while seven were killed, 13 sustained injuries and three went missing in seven accidents waterways.

According to observation of the BJKS, the causes of road accidents include reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, vehicles without fitness, carelessness of passengers and pedestrians, unskilled drivers, use of mobile or headphones while crossing road, poor enforcement of traffic laws etc.

During January, 170 were killed and 173 injured in 164 motorcycle accidents, which is 31.47% of the total number of accidents, 34.90% of the total number of fatalities and 16.41% of the total number of injuries.

Dhaka division saw the highest number of accidents – a total of 117 people were killed and 270 were injured in 123 road accidents there.

Meanwhile, Barisal logged the lowest number of road accidents, witnessing 23 fatalities and 125 injuries in 33 road accidents.

Among those injured in road accidents in January, 14 were members of law enforcement agencies, 133 vehicle drivers, 74 pedestrians, 24 transport workers, 69 students, six teachers, 75 women, 51 children, three journalists, one doctor, one lawyer, one engineer, three freedom fighters and 13 activists of different political parties.