At least 281 people, including 34 women and 48 children, were killed and 837 others injured in 292 road crashes across the country during the 13 days before and after Eid-ul-Azha, according to the Road Safety Foundation.
The foundation disclosed the figures in a press release issued today.
The data was compiled from reports published in nine national dailies, 17 online news portals, electronic media reports, and the organisation's own independent sources.
According to the foundation's analysis, the Eid travel period saw an average of 22 deaths per day on the country's roads.
Among the victims were 37 pedestrians.
Motorcycle crashes accounted for the highest number of deaths. At least 124 riders and pillion passengers were killed in 141 motorcycle crashes, representing 44.12 percent of all fatalities, the press release said.
The fatalities also included 48 people travelling in three-wheelers, 32 in trucks, covered vans, pickups and trolleys, 21 in buses, 11 in private cars and ambulances, and eight in locally made motorised vehicles. Thirty-three drivers and transport workers were among them.
The press release further said the casualties were not limited to roads. Thirteen waterway accidents left eight people dead and 15 injured, while 24 sacrificial cattle also died in the incidents. In addition, 22 railway accidents claimed 17 lives and injured nine others.
According to the analysis of crash locations, 112 accidents occurred on regional roads, 97 on national highways, 42 on rural roads and 37 on city roads.
Loss of vehicle control was identified as the leading cause of accidents, accounting for 127 crashes. Head-on collisions caused 73 accidents, while 42 involved vehicles hitting others from behind and 38 involved pedestrians being run over.
Dhaka division recorded the highest number of casualties, with 101 deaths in 95 crashes. Sylhet division recorded the lowest, with seven deaths in nine crashes. Among the districts, Faridpur recorded the highest death toll, with 28 fatalities in 19 crashes.
The foundation said more than one crore people left Dhaka to celebrate Eid with their families, while around four crore people travelled between districts across the country.
Foundation Chairman Saidur Rahaman said traffic congestion and overall commuter suffering on highways and waterways were comparatively lower this year, except for bottlenecks on routes in the northern region. However, he alleged that passengers across all modes of transport were systematically overcharged due to weak regulatory oversight.
The press release also highlighted several major incidents, including a crash in Kalihati, Tangail, in which 15 low-income workers were killed after a rod-laden truck overturned. It further noted that 13 major accidents occurred when moving vehicles crashed into disabled vehicles left on expressways and highways without adequate warning signs.
