THE number of deaths in road crashes during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays rush increased despite a ban on inter-district bus operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At least 249 people were killed and 385 others injured in 207 road crashes in 12 days till Monday, as people rushed to travel home and come back to Dhaka. Among the deceased, 35 were women and 29 children, while 23 were pedestrians and 27 transport workers, including drivers. Both accidents and deaths increased during this Eid holidays compared to those of last year.
An analysis of this year’s accidents revealed that 329 small vehicles were involved in the road mishaps. Of the total deceased, 107 people lost lives in 98 motor-bike accidents. About 33.5% of the accidents occurred on highways, 36% on internal road networks, and 18.5% on rural and 12% on urban roads. A greater number of cars and small vehicles operated on the roads in this year’s Eid rush due to restrictions on inter-district public transports. As a result, the number of accidents and fatalities involving small vehicles increased.
Improper traffic management system, lack of awareness about traffic laws, rash driving, unfit vehicles, inadequate pay for drivers and reckless bike riding by youths were mainly responsible for the accidents. When the government put embargo on plying inter-district public transports, it was completely nonchalance to small motor vehicles like private cars and SUVs. Poor people suffered most during the Eid holidays due to suspension of bus, train and launch that eventually made holiday-makers to travel by small vehicles at higher costs and unhealthy conditions. Capitalising on the ban on long-distance bus communication, many unfit small vehicles were used to compete on roads and cross speed limit. The government’s policy is blamed for the rise of accidents this year. Those families which have lost their earning members face uncertain future. Families of the victims of these accidents deserve compensation.
