Road crashes during Eid journey: Discrepancy in data raises confusion

Data provided by relevant organisations shows that the number of road crashes during Eid-ul-Fitr this year has increased compared to last year. However, dissimilarities in the data by separate bodies has sparked a confusion over the actual count of both crashes and fatalities this year.  

According to a count of 17 days before and after the Eid day by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, road accident fatalities have increased by 18.75% compared to last year. 

On the other hand, the Road Safety Foundation, a private organisation working on road accident statistics, said the rate of road crashes during Eid this year has increased to 39.20%, and fatalities to 20.19%.

Another private organisation, Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh said road accidents surged by 31.25% and fatalities by 24.08% during this year's Eid journey from April 4-18 compared to the previous year.

According to BRTA, 320 people were killed and 262 others were injured in a total of 286 road accidents during the 17 days from 4-20 April this year.

However, at a press briefing today (24 April), the Road Safety Foundation said 367 people were killed and around at least 1,500 were injured in a total of 358 road accidents in a span of 15 days before and after the Eid day this year.

As per the organisation, the rate of road accidents during the Eid-ul-Fitr journeys has increased to 39.20%, and fatalities to 20.19%. During the Eid holidays last year, 285 people were killed in 240 accidents, it said.

Earlier, at a press briefing on 21 April, BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad Mazumder said compared to last year, only the number of deaths has increased, not the rate of accidents. 

He said an average of 19 people died in road accidents each day on 4-20 April this year. In contrast, during last year's Eid-ul-Fitr, the daily average was 16 deaths.

During Eid-ul-Fitr 2023, 253 road accidents occurred during the 15 days of the Eid journey, resulting in 239 deaths and 510 injuries, he added.

On the other hand, at a press conference on 17 April, the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh said around 407 individuals lost their lives and 1,398 others were injured in a total of 399 road accidents in 15 days during this year's Eid-ul-Fitr. Comparatively, during Eid-ul-Fitr in 2023, 328 individuals were killed and 565 were injured in 304 road accidents.

However, regarding the rise in crashes this year, Road Safety Foundation Executive Director Saidur Rahman told The Business Standard that holidaymakers made more trips on bikes during the Eid journey this time as the weather was better, and the road conditions became smoother. This triggered accidents sharply.

As per the organisation, of the 358 accidents this Eid-ul-Fitr, 183 were motorcycle accidents, claiming 156 lives. 

The highest number of accidents and fatalities were reported in Dhaka Division, while the lowest was in Sylhet division, it said.