Surge in motorcycle accidents: A growing concern on the roads

Highlights

• Rapid increase in motorcycle number closely linked to rise in fatal accidents
• In 2024, motorcycles were involved in 2,329 accidents, causing 2,570 fatalities and 3,151 injuries, accounting for 36.6% of all road accidents
• The death rate in motorcycle accidents is particularly high in Bangladesh, with a study by BUET's ARI showing that for every 10,000 motorcycles, 28.4 people die annually.
• Experts recommend reducing motorcycles, introducing purchase guidelines, and requiring licenses for new buyers

Motorcycle accidents are increasingly becoming a major contributor to road fatalities in Bangladesh, with data showing a troubling upward trend.

Over the past decade, the number of motorcycles has surged, and fatality rates have risen alongside it. 

In 2024, motorcycle accidents accounted for 2,329 incidents, resulting in 2,570 fatalities and 3,151 injuries, according to a Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS) report released today (4 January). 

These incidents made up 36.6% of all road accidents last year. The report attributed the sharp rise to the unchecked growth of motorcycles and small vehicles, which often violate road usage regulations.

Data from previous years supports this growing trend. In 2023, motorcycles were involved in 32.4% of all road accidents, with 2,031 incidents causing 2,152 fatalities, according to BJKS. 

The death rate in motorcycle accidents in Bangladesh is particularly high, as highlighted in a 2022 report by Accident Research Institute (ARI) at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet). 

The study found that for every 10,000 motorcycles, 28.4 people die annually, with nearly 40% of the victims aged between 24 and 30 years.

Kazi Md Shifun Newaz, an assistant professor at ARI, told The Business Standard, "More than half of the vehicles in Bangladesh are motorcycles, leading to a higher number of bike accidents compared to other vehicles." 

He noted that most bikers lack licences and disregard traffic rules, often driving at high speeds and overloading. 

The expert recommended reducing the number of motorcycles in Bangladesh, introducing guidelines for bike purchases, and requiring licences for new buyers. 

He also suggested making it mandatory for every bike to have two helmets to help reduce accidents.

Vietnam, the global leader in per capita motorcycle use with 358 motorcycles per 1,000 people, has a significantly lower fatality rate of 4.1 per 10,000 motorcycles. 

In contrast, Bangladesh, with just seven motorcycles per 1,000 people, has a much higher rate of motorcycle-related fatalities.

The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) has documented a sharp rise in motorcycle-related incidents. In 2022, there were 2,973 accidents, leading to 3,091 deaths, making up 40.07% of total road fatalities. 

In 2021, 2,078 accidents resulted in 2,214 fatalities or 35.23% of road accident deaths. The RSF noted a 50.47% increase in motorcycle accidents and a 51.33% rise in fatalities from 2020 to 2021.

With a four- to fivefold increase in registered vehicles over the past decade, especially motorcycles and easy bikes, addressing this growing issue is critical.

Feeder roads account for the highest number of accidents 

According to the Jatri Kalyan report, the highest number of accidents – 35.81% – occurred in 2024 on feeder roads, which are built to connect to larger roads, railways, or highways, and direct traffic to them.

Jatri Kalyan Samity Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury told TBS that there has been a recent increase in motorcycles and auto-rickshaws in the country, putting pressure on these feeder roads.

"Bikers use feeder roads to avoid traffic jams and reach their destinations quickly. But the increase in engine auto-rickshaws and rickshaws slows down traffic, leading to more accidents on these routes."

However, while the number of accidents on these roads is high, the damage and loss of life are relatively low, he added.

Buet's Shifun Newaz pointed out that the government has less oversight over the construction of feeder roads compared to highways, which may lead to design and construction flaws. Additionally, these roads have more pedestrians, which contributes to the higher number of accidents.

"Many feeder roads lack adequate lighting, and traffic management is poor. A large number of bikes and buses ply these roads, increasing the likelihood of accidents," he explained.