Road accidents cost Bangladesh over Tk21,000cr in 2024: Report
The figure represents the human capital lost due to 6,927 road accidents, which claimed 7,294 lives and left 12,019 injured last year
Road accidents last year resulted in an estimated financial loss of approximately Tk21,886.32 crore for the country, according to a report by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) published today (8 January).
This figure represents the human capital loss resulting from 7,294 people killed and 12,019 injured in 6,927 road accidents. Women and children accounted for 12.24% (893) and 15.79% (1,152) of the fatalities, respectively.
RSF findings are based on data from national dailies, online news portals, electronic media, and its own research.
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An additional 30% was factored into the calculation to account for unreported incidents, following the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) method, as per a press release by the organisation.
The organisation also noted that the loss is likely higher than reported as they could not assess the financial impact of property damage or vehicle losses caused by accidents due to the unavailability of data, since much of the information on road accidents remains unpublished.
They said the financial loss this year could exceed 1.5% of the country's GDP.
Accident breakdown
Motorcycles accounted for the highest proportion of fatalities, with 2,609 deaths, or 35.76% of the total. Pedestrians made up 21.04% (1,535), while 984 drivers and their assistants accounted for 13.49%.
In addition, accidents involving three-wheelers (easy bikes, CNGs, and auto-rickshaws) caused 1,392 deaths (19.08%).
The report also documented accidents involving other modes of transport. In 118 boat accidents, 152 people died, 161 were injured, and 39 went missing. Railway accidents resulted in 324 deaths and 277 injuries across 347 incidents.
Accidents were most frequent on regional roads (39.49%) and national highways (34%). Rural roads, city streets, and other locations accounted for 14%, 11.31%, and 1.12%, respectively. The leading causes were loss of control (42%), head-on collisions (22%), and accidents involving pedestrians (22.54%).
Goods-carrying vehicles were implicated in 26.66% of the accidents, followed by motorcycles (25.24%), three-wheelers (18.52%), and passenger buses (12.31%). Private cars, microbuses, and ambulances were involved in 5.44% of the incidents, while bicycles and pedal rickshaws accounted for 2.49%.
Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of accidents and fatalities, with 1,582 incidents and 1,840 deaths, representing 22.83% of accidents and 25.22% of fatalities nationwide. In contrast, Sylhet Division reported the lowest figures, with 435 accidents and 443 deaths.
The Road Safety Foundation's findings highlight the severe financial and human toll of road accidents, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive measures to improve road safety and reduce economic losses.
