At least 186 people were killed and more than 600 injured in 169 road accidents across the country during the Eid-ul-Azha travel period from May 25 to May 31, exposing once again Bangladesh's persistent road safety crisis despite heightened holiday monitoring.
The death toll translates into an average of 27 fatalities a day, with motorcycle crashes alone claiming 84 lives.
Road safety experts say the grim statistics are not an anomaly associated with Eid travel but a reflection of the country's chronic failure to ensure safe roads throughout the year.
Every Eid, millions of people leave Dhaka and other major cities for their hometowns, placing enormous pressure on highways and transport networks. Despite special traffic management measures announced by the authorities, road discipline remains elusive.
27 fatalities a day in the space between May 25 and 31
Experts attribute the accidents to a combination of unfit vehicles, unskilled drivers, reckless speeding, traffic-rule violations, weak enforcement and mounting pressure on already overstretched roads.
Saidur Rahman, Executive Director of the Road Safety Foundation, said the Eid casualty figures differ little from the country's routine road safety record.
"Except for the major accident in Tangail, the number of deaths is only slightly higher than our normal daily road accident fatalities. Because it is Eid, these incidents receive greater attention, but this is actually our everyday reality," he told The Daily Observer.
He identified several structural factors behind the continued loss of lives, including the growing number of battery-powered auto-rickshaws, traffic volumes exceeding road capacity, unqualified drivers, defective vehicles and ineffective enforcement of traffic laws.
Illegal roadside markets and encroachments, he said, continue to obstruct highways and increase risks for commuters.
Rahman also alleged that politically influential groups often maintain a grip on the transport sector, enabling illegal toll collection and extortion while limiting the effectiveness of regulatory authorities.
"A lack of accountability for corruption and negligence among responsible officials remains one of the biggest obstacles to improving road discipline," he said.
Road safety researcher Professor Dr. Hadiuzzaman, former director of the Accident Research Institute at BUET, stressed that road safety cannot be treated as a seasonal concern.
"Road safety is a culture. Scientific traffic management and compliance with traffic rules must be practiced throughout the year. Safe roads during Eid are impossible if the rules are ignored for the remaining months," he said.
He called for the removal of unfit vehicles, stricter action against unqualified drivers, enforcement of regulated working hours for professional drivers and the elimination of vehicles operating without valid route permits.
Dr. Hadiuzzaman also emphasized the need to remove illegal roadside markets that frequently encroach upon highways and contribute to accidents.
According to him, temporary drives and awareness campaigns ahead of Eid are insufficient. Sustainable road safety requires year-round planning, enforcement and public awareness.
Experts note that many countries experience heavy traffic during major holidays and festivals, yet strong traffic management systems, strict law enforcement and a culture of compliance help keep fatalities under control.
They believe Bangladesh can substantially reduce road deaths through coordinated efforts involving the government, transport owners, workers, law enforcement agencies and road users themselves.
As millions continue their Eid journeys, the loss of 186 lives in just ten days stands as a stark reminder that road safety remains one of the country's most pressing public policy challenges. Without sustained discipline, accountability and effective management, experts warn, such tragedies will continue to recur with every festive season.
