Reckless riding fuels fatal crashes
A growing surge in motorcycle use, coupled with reckless and underage driving, is turning Bangladesh’s roads increasingly deadly—especially for young riders.
Sixteen-year-old Aryan Sabbir became the latest victim of this alarming trend.
The schoolboy was killed in a head-on collision with a microbus on March 26 while returning from Kaliachapada Bazar.
The accident occurred in the Maijhati Babar Ali Market area under Patuabhanga union of Pakundia Upazila in Kishoreganj.
Concerned residents and officials say such incidents are becoming more frequent, with underage drivers and excessive speed identified as key causes behind the rising number of fatalities in the district.
Across the country, motorcycle-related accidents have increased sharply over the past two years. In 2024 alone, 2,609 people were killed in motorcycle crashes, accounting for 35.76 percent of total road accident deaths.
The number rose further in 2025, with at least 2,958 fatalities reported.Officials from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Highway Police, and other agencies note that accident rates typically spike during major festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, and Pohela Boishakh.
While buses and trucks were once the primary contributors to road crashes, motorcycles and battery-powered autorickshaws are now increasingly involved.Law enforcement agencies attribute many of these accidents to untrained and underage drivers.
Traffic Inspector Syed Moniruzzaman of Kishoreganj said regular drives are conducted against unlicensed and illegal vehicles, with seizures and cases filed.
However, he acknowledged that enforcement efforts are often hampered by limited resources and external pressures.
Highway Police Inspector Khurshed Alam echoed similar concerns, noting that inadequate manpower and logistics make comprehensive monitoring difficult. “We have only one vehicle, which limits our ability to patrol the entire highway effectively,” he said.BRTA Assistant Director Engineer Md. Kamruzzaman emphasized that the minimum legal age for a motorcycle driving license is 18, and licenses are issued only after passing required tests.
“There is no possibility for school-going teenagers to legally obtain a license,” he said, adding that many adults also drive without valid licenses.He stressed the role of guardians, warning that allowing teenagers to ride motorcycles can have fatal consequences.
“Nothing is more dangerous than giving motorcycles to school-aged children. Many pay for it with their lives,” he said.Kamruzzaman also pointed out regulatory gaps, noting that battery-powered autorickshaws remain unregistered and their drivers untrained, while tractors—meant for agricultural use—are often seen operating on roads without proper authorization.
Experts say without stricter enforcement, improved regulation, and greater public awareness, the country’s roads will continue to pose serious risks—particularly for its younger population.
