Deadly Rides: Thousands Killed on Bangladesh’s Motorcycles
More than 15,700 people have died in motorcycle crashes across Bangladesh over the last six and a half years. Another 14,143 people were injured in these accidents. A worrying fact is that more than half of those affected were aged between 13 and 35 years.
The Road Safety Foundation shared these alarming figures in a recent report. The organisation stated that over 16,000 motorcycle crashes happened from 2020 until July this year. The Foundation warns that motorcycles are 30 times more dangerous than four-wheeled vehicles.
Many people choose motorcycles because public transport in Bangladesh is not good enough. It is also not easy to access for everyone. Heavy traffic jams in cities also push people towards using motorcycles. This rise in motorcycle use contributes to more accidents.
A major reason for many deaths is the failure to wear good quality helmets. A strong helmet can cut the risk of dying in a crash by 48 percent.
The Road Safety Foundation studied how these crashes happened. Twenty-two percent of motorcycle accidents were head-on collisions. Over 34 percent of crashes occurred when riders lost control. More than 39 percent of accidents involved motorcycles hitting heavy vehicles.
Motorcycle riders were fully responsible for over 36 percent of these crashes. Cargo vehicles caused 40 percent of the accidents. Bus drivers’ careless driving led to about 13.5 percent of crashes.
About 30 percent of motorcycle accidents took place on national highways. Regional roads saw 42 percent of crashes. Twelve percent happened on rural roads and 16.5 percent in cities.
Motorcycles make up 71 percent of all registered vehicles in Bangladesh. Many young people, including teenagers, ride these vehicles. The Road Safety Foundation notes that young riders often drive carelessly. Motorcycle advertisements sometimes encourage faster speeds, attracting young people to ride without care.
The Foundation pointed to several causes for these accidents. These include young people riding carelessly and breaking traffic rules. Weak enforcement of traffic laws and a lack of awareness also play a part. Bad roads, old technology, and not enough affordable public transport also add to the problem.
To make roads safer, the Road Safety Foundation suggests several actions. These include using safety technology on motorcycles and making good helmets a must. Traffic laws must be strictly followed. The Foundation also recommends awareness programs in schools and safety campaigns online. They suggest changing how motorcycle ads are made. Building safer roads and offering better public transport are also key steps.
