548 crashes, 147 dead on Dhaka-Mawa Expressway

At least 147 people have been killed in 548 road accidents on the Dhaka-Mawa Highway Expressway since the Padma Bridge was opened, while another 874 people have suffered injuries over the past four years and two months.

The figures, provided by the Fire Service and Civil Defence, cover the stretch between the Mawa Toll Plaza and Dhaleshwari Toll Plaza from June 25, 2022, to August 27 this year.

The accident toll has grown as traffic on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway has increased following the opening of the Padma Bridge, which significantly improved road connectivity between Dhaka and the country’s south-western region.

According to Fire Service and Civil Defence data, 548 accidents occurred along the specified stretch during the period, resulting in 147 deaths and 874 injuries.

Muhammad Shafiqul Islam, deputy assistant director of Munshiganj Fire Service and Civil Defence, said firefighters had repeatedly reached accident scenes despite significant risks to rescue injured people and take them to hospitals.

Firefighters also recovered the bodies of those killed and handed them over to police, he said.

The opening of the Padma Bridge made road travel to the south-western region easier and contributed to a significant increase in vehicle movement along the expressway. With traffic pressure rising, the number of accidents has also increased, according to those concerned.

They attributed the growing risk partly to speeding, dangerous overtaking, negligence and reckless driving. The expressway’s improved connectivity has therefore brought a corresponding challenge of managing vehicle speed and driver behaviour to reduce crashes and casualties.

Relevant authorities have urged drivers to operate vehicles within the prescribed speed limits and avoid risky overtaking to reduce road accidents and fatalities. They have also stressed compliance with traffic laws and road signs, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and avoiding reckless or inattentive driving.

The data cover the section from the Mawa Toll Plaza to the Dhaleshwari Toll Plaza of the Dhaka-Mawa Highway Expressway following the opening of the Padma Bridge on June 25, 2022.

Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel have continued to respond to crashes along the route, carrying out rescue operations and recovering the bodies of victims when accidents occur.