Dhaka, Oct 17 (V7N)- In September, a total of 493 road accidents occurred across Bangladesh, resulting in the deaths of 498 people and injuries to 978, according to a report released by Jatri Kalyan Samity. The report was presented by the organization’s General Secretary, Mohammad Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, during a press conference held in the capital on Thursday.

The report also revealed that there were 40 railway accidents, which caused 37 fatalities and four injuries. Additionally, 14 waterway accidents led to 19 deaths, 56 injuries, and 47 people missing.

Motorcycle accidents accounted for 195 deaths and 149 injuries, making up 38.94% of all accidents, 39.15% of fatalities, and 15.23% of injuries. The Chittagong division experienced the most road accidents, with 116 incidents resulting in 109 deaths and 251 injuries, while the Barishal division had the fewest, with 26 accidents causing 23 deaths and 48 injuries.

Victim Demographics
The report highlighted that among the victims were 10 law enforcement officers, 109 drivers, 87 pedestrians, 49 transport workers, 51 students, 12 teachers, 68 women, and 56 children.

A total of 792 vehicles were involved in the accidents, with motorcycles making up 27.52%, trucks and pickups 21.71%, and buses 13.25%.

Causes of Accidents
The Jatri Kalyan Samity attributed the primary causes of accidents to the lack of traffic police, absence of road signs and street lighting, insufficient driver training, vehicle defects, and violations of traffic laws such as driving against traffic flow.

Recommendations for Prevention
To curb the number of accidents, the organization recommended halting the import and registration of smaller vehicles, improving lighting on highways, initiating driver training programs, and reducing extortion on the roads.

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