Nine Recommendations to Reduce Eid Road Accidents

Road accidents in Bangladesh tend to surge every year during the Eid holidays, claiming numerous lives and causing widespread injuries. In anticipation of the upcoming festive period, the Dhaka Ahsania Mission Youth Forum, a non-governmental organisation focused on road safety, has issued nine specific recommendations aimed at reducing traffic-related casualties.

On Tuesday, Marzana Muntaha, Coordinator of the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing, presented the recommendations in a press statement. She highlighted that during Eid, the dramatic increase in vehicular traffic, combined with reckless driving, hazardous motorcycle manoeuvres, and inattentive pedestrians, leads to an unusually high incidence of road accidents.

According to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), over the eight-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday in 2024, there were 110 reported road accidents nationwide, resulting in at least 132 fatalities and 208 injuries. Comparatively, during the 15-day Eid holiday in 2023, 239 people lost their lives in road incidents. This represents an approximately 19% increase in fatalities year-on-year.

To address these alarming trends, the Youth Forum has proposed nine key measures:

Strict speed management: Establish and enforce clear guidelines for speed control, making compliance with designated limits mandatory during Eid.

Helmet enforcement: Ensure that both motorcycle drivers and passengers wear certified helmets, supported by detailed implementation protocols.

Prohibit unfit vehicles: Ban unroadworthy vehicles from operating on public roads.

Driver rest regulation: Mandate designated working hours and provide adequate rest periods for drivers to prevent fatigue-related accidents.

Restrict prohibited vehicles: Prevent battery-operated vehicles such as noshims, karimens, and tempos from operating on major highways.

Combat impaired driving: Intensify law enforcement against driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Pedestrian safety measures: Keep footpaths clear of obstructions, promote pedestrian bridges, and facilitate safe road crossings.

Accountability for authorities: Hold responsible agencies accountable for maintaining road discipline.

Integrated road safety legislation: Implement a comprehensive legal framework based on the internationally recognised “Safe System Approach” to improve road safety.

The organisation believes that implementing these measures will significantly reduce fatalities and injuries on the roads. Crucially, they will enable families to enjoy a safe and secure Eid holiday, spending quality time together without the looming risk of road accidents.