Road Accidents in Bangladesh: Causes and Remedies

Road accidents have become an everyday occurrence in Bangladesh. According to statistics from the Road Safety Foundation, in 2021 alone, approximately 5,371 accidents occurred, resulting in the deaths of about 6,284 people and injuries to around 7,868. A serious concern is that about 35% of all accidents were caused by motorcycle accidents. Therefore, it is especially important for bike riders to know the causes of accidents and the noticeable and actionable measures for prevention.

Causes of Road Accidents in Bangladesh

Several factors can be identified as causes of motorcycle accidents. These include riders' driving style, servicing, knowledge of traffic rules, understanding and obeying traffic and road signs, all of which are included. To avoid accidents, understanding their causes is primarily crucial before knowing what to do. Let's discuss those causes in detail. Speeding and Overtaking: Among the causes of road accidents in Bangladesh, attempting to turn and overtake at excessive speed is prominent. In most cases, bikers tend to forget about safety due to speed and try to find thrill by speeding as fast as possible, weaving through other vehicles. Such dangerous practices should be abandoned by motorcycle riders. Otherwise, there is a significant risk to life along with damage to the cherished bike. Abrupt Lane Changes: Accidents are not only due to reckless behavior or incompetence of the driver. When surrounding buses, trucks, cars, or other non-motorized vehicles like rickshaws, vans, and bicycles suddenly change lanes or turn corners, many types of accidents also occur. Controlling speed and giving proper indicators are very important for this. Driving while Tired or Intoxicated: Driving while tired is another major cause of accidents. Due to fatigue, drivers often cannot maintain the bike's balance or properly see the vehicle ahead or traffic indicator signs. The same situation becomes even more severe if the driver is intoxicated. In such a state, losing control, being unable to see, or driving erratically is very common. It is not at all unusual for accidents to happen due to this. Lack of Traffic Law Knowledge: Another major factor is not knowing or not obeying traffic laws. Bike riders should become very familiar with all existing traffic and road signs. In Bangladesh, there are hardly any provisions for driver training to avoid road accidents. It is imperative for government and non-government organizations to take initiatives for motorcycle driving training. Using Substandard Helmets: Not using helmets or using substandard helmets is another major problem. A more problematic issue here is that BSTI currently lacks the facilities to test and inspect the quality of helmets in Bangladesh. Although helmets are supposed to be manufactured or imported and sold in the market according to BSTI's prescribed standards. However, due to the lack of BSTI's oversight, a visit to the motorcycle market reveals that substandard helmets are frequently bought and sold, which provide little protection in case of an accident. Poor Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, narrow roads, or the absence of speed bump signs also often cause accidents. If there is a pothole or an open manhole cover on the road, and no sign is present, the likelihood of an accident increases further. Competitive and Rivalrous Attitude: Often on the road, drivers start driving with a sudden, uneven competitive mindset between two bikes or a car and a bike. This significantly increases the risk. A major cause of road accidents in Bangladesh is drivers' reckless attitude and rivalrous mindset while driving cars or bikes on the road. It is very necessary to overcome this. Distraction: Another common occurrence on urban roads is driving while distracted. Many bike riders talk on the phone while speeding or use GPS on a mobile phone kept in a holder while at high speed. Looking down from speed is quite risky because it takes a long time to realize if there is an obstacle ahead or if a vehicle in front suddenly brakes. Therefore, caution is required when using a mobile or GPS. Sudden Livestock or Potholes on Rural Roads: On rural roads, livestock can sometimes come into the middle of the road. This also often causes accidents. Additionally, rural roads often have significant potholes and uneven surfaces. If balance is not maintained or if driving at excessive speed on these, there is a possibility of accidents. Mechanical Defects and Unauthorized Servicing: Accidents can also sometimes occur due to bike malfunction or mechanical defects. Such problems arise if the bike is not serviced as required, if illegal parts are used, or if serviced by unauthorized or unskilled mechanics.

Measures to Prevent Road Accidents / Ways to Remedy Road Accidents

All the reasons mentioned above play a crucial role in causing road accidents in Bangladesh. Therefore, to remedy this situation, these causes of accidents need to be eliminated.

• First and foremost, awareness and caution are needed from both drivers and pedestrians. There is a great need for more caution in speeding, overtaking, and turning, and for abandoning a competitive attitude. It is hoped that proper enforcement of traffic laws will keep reckless riders under observation.
• Accidents can also occur due to bike malfunction or mechanical defects. Therefore, the bike must be serviced regularly, and care must be taken that illegal or unauthorized parts are not used on the bike, and that the bike is not serviced by unauthorized, unskilled, or amateur hands.
• Bike headlights, DRLs, and indicator lights are very important. Headlights must be used properly on dark roads, and indicator lights must be used correctly when making turns. And in winter, fog lights can be used on foggy roads, but at other times, fog lights must be turned off, otherwise, they can cause vision problems for drivers of oncoming vehicles or any other vehicle, leading to major accidents.
• Another thing to keep in mind is for the rider to be fit while riding the bike. One must not drive a bike with sleepy or tired eyes or in any intoxicated state. The biker must also be experienced in riding a bike on highways and main roads. It is not at all unusual for inexperienced riders to lose control by speeding on a bike in an unprepared state.
• Care must also be taken when buying a bike helmet. The market is full of many types, different prices, and various qualities or standards of bike parts and helmets. A cheap, generic helmet will provide little protection in a serious accident. According to a 2006 study by the World Health Organization (WHO), wearing a good quality helmet reduces the chance of injury in a motorcycle accident by 70%, and the risk of death by 40%. Therefore, for any ride, there is no alternative to a good helmet for both the bike rider and the passenger.

All in all, there is no alternative to driving a bike cautiously. Keeping the bike serviced properly, wearing a helmet, ensuring the road condition (wet, sandy, or potholed), and driving with adequate lighting will certainly play a role in preventing road accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do accidents occur due to bike malfunction or mechanical defects? - Yes, accidents can occur due to bike malfunction or mechanical defects.

2. Does a good quality helmet reduce the risk of death? - According to a 2006 study, wearing a good quality helmet reduces the chance of injury in a motorcycle accident by 70%, and the risk of death by 40%.

3. What kind of accident risks are there on rural roads? - On rural roads, the risk of accidents increases significantly due to sudden presence of livestock.

4. Do speeding and overtaking cause accidents? - Among the causes of road accidents in Bangladesh, attempting to turn and overtake at excessive speed is prominent. In most cases, bikers tend to forget about safety due to speed and try to find thrill by speeding as fast as possible, weaving through other vehicles.

5. Can one ride a bike while tired or intoxicated? - Driving while tired is another major cause of accidents. Due to fatigue, drivers often cannot maintain the bike's balance or properly see the vehicle ahead or traffic indicator signs. The same situation becomes even more severe if the driver is intoxicated. In such a state, losing control, being unable to see, or driving erratically is very common. It is not at all unusual for accidents to happen due to this.