By Maloy Kumar Dutta

     DHAKA, Jan 18, 2023 (BSS) - Due to rapid increase of motorbike accidents on highways and city streets during the last few years, the government is formulating a policy to control motorcycle movement in the country.

     As per available data of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), a total of 3892 people were killed in 4,477 road accidents during January to October 2022 while 5,084 people were killed in 5,472 road accidents in 2021 across the country.

     Talking to BSS, BRTA Director (Safety) Sheikh Mohammad Mahbub-e-Rabbani said last couple of years, number of road accidents increased due to reckless motorbike movement.

     "During 2010 to 2018, the number of road accident was below 3,000. But the number crossed 4,000 marks in 2019 due to increasing motorbike movement on national highways and city streets. We have no separate statistics on motorbike accidents. But as per our investigation, motorbike accidents caused around 40 percent deaths among total number of deaths in road accidents," he mentioned.

     So, he said, BRTA has taken the initiative to formulate a policy for controlling motorbike movement on highways.

     "We have already formulated draft policy to this end. We have submitted it to the ministry (Road Transport and Bridges Ministry). The ministry will discuss on the draft policy with stakeholders and they will finalize it," he added.

     He said the policy will lay emphasis on controlling the motorcycle on the highways rather than restricting those.

     Replying to a question over close monitoring on the highways, he said,"We cannot do it so closely....there is a lack of manpower. Despite this, we are monitoring. It is going on."

     Under the initiative, Mahbub-e-Rabbani mentioned that the government will ensure use of safety equipment for motorbike users and take different programmes for creating awareness among the people.

     On January 7, the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) released its annual report on road accidents mentioning that 7,713 people were killed in 6,829 road accidents in 2022 in the country while 12,615 people were injured in the accidents.

     It said 3,091 people died in 2,973 motorcycle accidents, which is 40.07 percent of the total deaths.

     The foundation prepared the report based on data from nine national dailies, seven online news portals, and electronic media.

     The report said apart from motorcycle accidents, the number of accidents and deaths are almost the same in the 4 years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

     The total number of accidents and fatalities increased in 2020, 2021 and 2022 mainly due to increasing motorcycle accidents and fatalities.

     A total of 945 people were killed in 1189 motorcycle accidents in 2019, 1463 people in 1381 accidents in 2020, 2214 people in 2078 accidents in 2021 and 3091 people in 2973 accidents in 2022.

     Compared to 2019, motorcycle accidents increased by 16.14 percent and fatalities increased by 54.81 percent in 2020. Compared to 2020, motorcycle accidents increased by 50.47 percent and fatalities increased by 51.33 percent in 2021. Compared to 2021, motorcycle accidents increased by 43.07 percent and fatalities increased by 39.61 percent in 2022.

     In 2022, there were 2973 motorcycle accidents, killing 3091 people and injuring 2154 people. Among deaths, 76.41 percent were in the age group of 14 to 45 years.

     Motorcycle collisions with other vehicles was 21.26 percent, 32.22pc accident occurred due to loss of control of motorcycles, 44.87pc accidents occurred as motorcycle was pushed and hit by heavy vehicles and 1.65pc were other accidents.

     Many factors have contributed to the increase in motorcycle accidents and fatalities. It is noteworthy that most of the motorcyclists are teenagers and young people. The lack of knowledge and disobedience of traffic laws is rampant among them. Teenagers are riding motorcycles recklessly causing accidents themselves and others.

     A large proportion of motorcycle accidents occur in collisions with trucks, covered vans, pickups and buses.

     Most of the drivers of these speeding vehicles are unskilled and sick. Due to their reckless driving, even the careful motorcyclists suffer accidents.

     Motorcycles are 30 times more dangerous than 4 wheelers. But due to poor and accessible public transport system in the country and traffic congestion, people are encouraged to use motorcycles and accidents are increasing.

     Mahbub-e-Rabbani, however, said the government is working relentlessly considering 3 Es (Engineering, Education, Enforcement) to prevent road accidents by ensuring safe roads as directed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

     Notable activities of the government include making restroom for drivers on the side of the highways, construction of separate lane for slow moving vehicles at both sides of the road, installation of traffic sign and road marking, treatment of black spot, installation of rumble strips at accident prone places," he added.

     He said the implementation of road transport act, 2018 has already been started.

     "Despite various measures taken by the movement, according to the police report of the last five years road accidents in Bangladesh claim an average of 3133 lives every year," he mentioned.

     Experts observed that it is not possible for anyone alone to prevent road accident, it requires a concerted effort.