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At least 390 people were killed and 1,182 injured in 379 road accidents during the recent Eid-ul-Azha holidays from May 31 to June 14, said Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (JKS) on Monday.
It said that there has been a 16.07 per cent increase in deaths, a 55.11 per cent in injuries, and 22.65 per cent in crashes compared to the same period of the Eid season last year.
Secretary General of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury disclosed the information at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
He said that during the Eid-ul-Azha last year, at least 336 people were killed and 762 injured in 309 road accidents. Heavy rains have damaged highways and created potholes that subsequently led to road crashes, he said.
The secretary general further said that many post-Eid crashes occurred as drivers continued operating vehicles without taking adequate rest.
Motorcycle accidents have once again topped the list of road crashes. He said that at least 134 motorcycle-related crashes led to 147 deaths and 148 injuries -- accounting for 35.35 percent of total traffic accidents.
He further said that overcharging and harassment of passengers were rampant during this year's festival. Due to fare chaos, poor people were forced to travel on the roofs of buses and trains, in open trucks, or on goods-laden vehicles -- risking their lives, he said.
At least four days of government holidays before Eid are necessary to cut road crashes and ease off suffering, he said. He stressed the need for a long-term planning to improve the situation and called for enhanced public transport capacity and removing small vehicles from highways.
Mr Mozammel also highlighted the importance of trained drivers, roadworthy vehicles, smooth roads and proper enforcement of laws.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com