Around 224 people were killed during road journeys this Eid-ul-Adha, according to the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association. Of them, 77 were motorcyclists, accounting for 34.37 percent of total casualties. In 2018, Eid journey motorcycle rider causality ratio was 15.28 percent. However, this time the number has more than doubled.
The most common causes of motorcycle accidents on highways are: unsafe lane changes, speeding, driving under influence, lane splitting, inexperienced drivers, sudden stops, dangerous road conditions and motorcycle defects. According to data of the Accident Research Institute (ARI) of BUET, 230 people on average were killed during the last seven Eids, including both Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-adha.
1,613 people were killed in road accidents during the last seven Eid holidays. The ARI data is based on a seven-day period-from three days before Eid to three days after- during each festival. Passenger welfare association statistics of accidents shows that most people were killed in auto rickshaw mishaps after motorcycle. This rate is around 20 percent.
These pieces of news do not come to the headlines as one or two were killed in each accident. As a result, the danger of the motorcycle does not come to light.
Despite the large number of deaths, the regulatory body or police have not imposed any restrictions on motorcylists on the highway. The popularity of motorcycles in cities is increasing due to traffic congestion becoming heavier day by day. Mainly, for short distances, young people and service holders are using moto-bikes.
However, there are frequent accidents because there is no separate safe lane for motorcycles on the highway. Riders are accustomed to biking short distances to the big cities. One of the prime reasons for the accidents is the inability to travel the distant routes of the various highways. In addition, when the highway becomes slippery in the rain, the bike wheels often skid. In addition, this time, if a speedy car from the back or the opposite side is actually pressed into it, the motor riders life falls in danger. But before the Eid, many people take the risk riding bikes on highways without worrying about heavy traffic.
According to BUET's Accident Research Institute-ARI, in the capital in 2017, 48 people were killed and 19 injured in 48 motorcycle accidents. In the first eight months of last year (January-August), the number was almost as close. This year, 42 people were killed and 37 injured in 42 motorcycle accidents in Dhaka. Due to economic solvency, motorcycle numbers are growing like locusts. The risk of motorcycle accident is 30 times higher. At least 77 people were killed in motorcycle accidents during the Eid-ul-Fitr.
This is how motorcycles grew during economic development in Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Countries now realize the futility of motorcycle growth, says Transport Expert and Bangladesh Engineering University of Technology (BUET) Professor Shamsul Hoque. During the festivals, people also die in motorcycle accidents in the country. Almost all of the victims are young. During the festivals, when the roads are empty, and the two wheelers become reckless. This is why Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia are on their way to banning motorcycles. They learned from the past. Bangladesh also can learn by these steps, Professor Shamsul Hoque adds.
Assistant Professor of Accident Research Institute of Bangladesh Engineering University (BUET) Saifun Newaz said, "Those who drive motorcycles do not have training. They have a charming spirit. Many of them are young. There is a tendency to move faster on the road. Since the motorcycle runs on two wheels, accidents happen commonly.”
Responding to the question of how logical it is to ride a motorcycle on the highway, he said, "Since it is a motobike, many can ride at the same time. Banning is not the solution, but rather a lot of safety campaigns have to be carried out. Awareness is mandatory to skipping accidents. '