7,809 killed in road accidents in 2021

At least 7,809 people were killed and 9,039 injured in 5,629 road accidents across the country in 2021 despite the public transport remained shut for 85 days to stop the curb of coronavirus.

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS) disclosed the information at a press conference at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Sunday.

In the meantime, 396 people were killed and 134 were injured in 402 accidents on the railway.

Meanwhile, 311 people were killed, 578 injured and 544 went missing in 182 accidents that took place on the country’s waterways.

The BJKS members blamed reckless driving, vehicles without fitness, dangerous overtaking, carelessness of pedestrians, drivers without licenses, use of mobile while driving and poor enforcement of traffic laws for these accidents.

The organization issued several recommendations for ensuring road safety, including more budget for road safety programs, ensuring transparency, accountability in different regulatory bodies and ending extortion on roads.

ARR