Prevent tragedies on highways this Eid
The recent spate of fatal road accidents underscores a long-standing and systemic failure in road safety management in Bangladesh. In just one day, Rampal in Bagerhat witnessed a horrific collision between a microbus carrying a wedding party and a passenger bus, claiming 14 lives, including a bride and groom.
Almost simultaneously, similar tragedies unfolded in Jessore-Magura and Rangpur, leaving several more dead, reports the New Nation on Sunday. These incidents are not isolated; they are symptomatic of structural deficiencies that plague the country’s transport system.
Experts repeatedly cite a combination of unskilled drivers, unfit vehicles, poor road infrastructure, and the relentless pressure to maximise trips as the primary causes. During Eid, when roads are crowded with festive travellers, these vulnerabilities are magnified.
Data from the Road Safety Foundation paints a grim picture: over 300 fatalities in just 12 days around Eid-ul-Azha in recent years, with serious injuries numbering over a thousand and economic losses exceeding Tk 12 billion. The upward trend is alarming -daily averages of road deaths during Eid rose from 20 in 2024 to 26 in 2025, reflecting a 29 per cent increase.
Despite legal frameworks such as the 2018 Road Transport Act and the 2024 motor vehicle speed guidelines, enforcement remains weak. Reckless driving, banned and ageing vehicles on highways, and a lack of accountability among institutions like the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) persist.
Investigations after accidents repeatedly uncover the same causes: drivers working excessive hours without rest, mechanical failures in buses, and minimal consequences for rule-breaking.
The government must act decisively. Strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing technological support for enforcement, and ensuring strict adherence to traffic laws are essential.
Temporary deployment of buses from the armed forces, police, and other government bodies during peak travel periods could mitigate risks. Additionally, automated speed monitoring systems should be expanded beyond trial areas to curb dangerous driving behaviours.
Road safety is not merely a transport issue – it is a matter of public welfare and social responsibility. Every death and injury on our highways represents a preventable tragedy.
Without immediate, coordinated action, Bangladesh will continue to witness countless families devastated by road accidents. It is time to reform now; systemic change in road management and accountability is overdue.
