99 drivers killed in road accidents in February

At least 534 people, including 99 drivers and 187 pedestrians, were killed and 1,169 others injured in 504 road accidents in February this year, according to a report released by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity on Monday.

Additionally, 48 people were killed and 13 injured in 56 accidents on the railways and 40 killed, 56 injured and 64 went missing in nine accidents on the waterways in the month.

Among the deceased were 62 women, 71 students, 45 transport workers, 54 children and 13 leaders of various political parties, said the passenger welfare association in its report based only on the incidents covered by newspapers.

Motorcycles were involved in 20.95 per cent accidents, battery-operated rickshaws in 10.54 per cent, buses in 15.75 per cent, trucks and covered vans in 27.93 per cent, cars, jeeps and microbuses in 4.30 per cent, CNG-operated auto-rickshaws and easy-bikes in 8.17 per cent, and human haulers 12.33 per cent.

Reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, vehicles without fitness, carelessness of passengers and pedestrians, unskilled drivers, use of mobile or headphones while crossing roads, poor enforcement of traffic laws were among the causes of the road accidents, according to the report.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net