Nearly 8,000 children have died in road accidents across Bangladesh over the past six years and nine months, with teenagers accounting for the largest share of fatalities. A total of 7,963 children lost their lives between 2020 and September 2026, according to a report by the Road Safety Foundation.
The report, signed by the organisation’s executive director, Saidur Rahman, and released on Wednesday morning, highlights the scale of child road deaths across the country. It examines fatalities by age group, vehicle type, road category and time of day, while identifying gaps in road safety and emergency medical care.
Motorcycles accounted for the largest proportion of child fatalities. A total of 2,958 children were killed while riding or travelling as passengers on motorcycles, representing 37.14 per cent of all child deaths recorded during the period.
Pedestrians accounted for another 2,812 deaths, or 35.31 per cent, while 2,193 children, equivalent to 27.53 per cent, died as passengers in various types of vehicles.
Three-wheelers and heavy vehicles pose major risks to child pedestrians
The report identifies three-wheelers and heavy vehicles as significant threats to children walking along or crossing roads.
A total of 1,271 children were killed after being struck by vehicles such as CNG-powered auto-rickshaws, other auto-rickshaws, Nasimons and Bhotbhoti vehicles. These deaths accounted for 45.19 per cent of all child pedestrian fatalities.
Heavy vehicles, including buses, lorries, covered vans and pick-up trucks, were involved in the deaths of another 1,126 child pedestrians, representing 40.4 per cent of pedestrian fatalities.
Meanwhile, 317 children were killed after being struck by or run over by private cars, microbuses, ambulances and jeeps. Motorcycles were responsible for a further 98 pedestrian deaths.
The findings highlight the dangers children face when walking beside busy roads or attempting to cross them. Inadequate footpaths, a lack of safe crossing facilities and failure to control vehicle speeds can leave young pedestrians particularly vulnerable.
Rural roads record the highest number of deaths
Rural roads emerged as the deadliest category for children, accounting for 2,713 fatalities, or 34.7 per cent of the total.
Regional roads recorded 2,082 child deaths, while 1,974 children were killed on highways. Urban roads accounted for another 1,194 fatalities.
According to the Road Safety Foundation, several factors contribute to the high number of deaths on rural roads. These include roads running close to residential properties, widespread disregard for traffic rules and inadequate law enforcement presence to regulate vehicle movement.
Children’s limited understanding of road safety rules is another concern. In residential areas where roads pass close to homes and places where children play, the absence of adequate protective measures can expose them to passing traffic.
The findings suggest that road safety initiatives must extend beyond major cities and highways. Rural communities also need safer road designs, effective speed controls and measures to protect children living near busy routes.
Afternoons emerge as the deadliest period
The report also identifies afternoons as the period when the highest number of children die in road accidents.
A total of 2,634 children were killed in accidents during the afternoon, accounting for 33.7 per cent of all fatalities. Morning accidents claimed 2,168 young lives, while 1,813 children died in incidents occurring around midday.
The remaining deaths included 598 at night, 546 in the evening and 204 at dawn.
Children frequently travel outside their homes to attend school, return home or take part in other daily activities. However, the figures alone do not establish why accidents occur more frequently at particular times. Further examination of accident locations, traffic conditions and children’s travel patterns would help identify the most effective preventive measures.
Teenagers account for the largest share of fatalities
Children aged between 13 and 17 made up the largest age group among those killed in road accidents.
According to the report, 3,547 children in this age group died during the period, representing 44.54 per cent of all child fatalities.
Another 2,884 children aged between six and 12 lost their lives, accounting for 36.21 per cent. Meanwhile, 1,532 children aged five or younger were killed, representing 19.23 per cent of the total.
The figures underline the need for age-specific road safety measures. Younger children require close supervision and safer environments around their homes and schools. For teenagers, road safety education, compliance with motorcycle regulations and preventing underage driving are particularly important.
School journeys and residential areas remain dangerous
The report found that 2,513 children, or 31.55 per cent of all child fatalities, died in road accidents while travelling to or from educational institutions.
A further 962 children were killed while playing on roads near their homes.
These findings highlight the importance of protecting children in places they use every day. Schools need safe crossing points, footpaths, appropriate speed limits and designated areas for students to enter and leave vehicles.
Residential roads also require attention. Measures to restrict vehicle speeds and provide safe places for children to play could help reduce their exposure to traffic-related risks.
Safety failures and inadequate medical care contribute to the crisis
The Road Safety Foundation identified several factors behind child road deaths and injuries. These include a lack of child-friendly roads and transport systems, limited awareness of safe road use, and insufficient guidance and training for children at home and in educational institutions.
The organisation also cited driving by inexperienced and underage individuals as a contributing factor. Inadequate medical facilities for injured children and families’ inability to afford treatment were identified as additional concerns.
Surviving a serious road accident does not necessarily end a child’s suffering. Severe injuries may require prolonged treatment, rehabilitation and continuing support. For families with limited financial resources, the cost of medical care can create further hardship.
Improving road safety therefore requires more than preventing accidents. Timely emergency assistance, appropriate hospital treatment and access to rehabilitation are also essential to reducing the long-term consequences of road injuries.
Foundation calls for stronger enforcement and better healthcare
The Road Safety Foundation has recommended making roads and transport systems safer for children, raising awareness among families and educational institutions, and taking strict action against inexperienced and underage drivers.
It has also called for greater treatment capacity at district-level hospitals, the establishment of a dedicated government fund to support accident victims and effective implementation of the Road Transport Act 2018.
The organisation expressed concern that the authorities responsible for road safety have not shown sufficient urgency in addressing child casualties. It also pointed to a lack of public awareness about the risks children face on the roads.
The consequences extend beyond the loss of young lives. Children who survive serious accidents may experience permanent disabilities, placing additional emotional and financial pressure on their families.
The deaths of 7,963 children in less than seven years represent a significant public safety challenge for Bangladesh. The figures reinforce the need for coordinated action involving government agencies, schools, transport operators, families and the wider public.
Safer road design, stronger enforcement of traffic laws, responsible driving, age-appropriate road safety education and improved emergency medical services must all form part of the response.
Protecting children on the roads is a shared responsibility. Without sustained action and effective implementation of safety measures, many young lives will remain at risk on the country’s roads.
