At least 801 people were killed and 3,267 others injured in 557 road crashes across the country in June, according to a report published by the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh issued on Wednesday.
The report noted that 38.01 per cent, or 222 people, were killed, and 33.45 per cent, or 1,093 people injured in 38.95 per cent, or 217, motorcycle-related crashes.
Additionally, 42 people were killed and nine others injured in 46 railway accidents. In nine waterways accidents, 12 people were killed, seven injured, and nine remained missing.
The association issued a press release summarising their monthly report, which was based on various media reports, data collected from the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, and estimates from the World Health Organization.
According to the release, different media reported 584 deaths and 1,128 injuries in 557 road crashes in June.
During the same period, 2,139 people, including 922 injured in motorcycle-related crashes, were admitted to NITOR.
Quoting the WHO, the association stated that 15 per cent of vitims died in hospitals or at home following crashes, and this number was included in the report.
Among the fatal victims, the highest number were transport workers, including drivers (110), followed by pedestrians (77), students (25), political party leaders and activists (9), teachers (5), and freedom fighters (2).
Besides, 46 children were killed in road crashes in the month.
The report highlighted that 52.42 per cent of the crashes were caused by vehicles crushing or hitting pedestrians or other vehicles.
The Dhaka division had the highest number of road crashes, with 133 crashes resulting in 139 deaths and 214 injuries, while the Sylhet division counted the lowest number of crashes, with 29 crashes resulting in 33 deaths and 47 injuries.
The highest percentage of road crashes, 38.24 per cent, occurred on national highways. Within metropolitan areas, 4.84 per cent of crashes occurred in Dhaka city, 1.07 per cent in Chattogram, and 0.53 per cent at different level crossings.
The association urged the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority to collect statistics on road crash victims from around 9,000 public and private hospitals in the country.
To reduce the number of road crashes, the association called for the implementation of existing laws and encouraged people to follow the laws.
