Khulna division witnessed 616 road accidents between October 2024 and September 2025, claiming the lives of at least 614 people, according to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Khulna regional office.
During the same period, 892 vehicles were damaged, with motorcycles involved in the highest number of crashes.
Among the districts, Jashore reported the highest fatalities, with 107 deaths and 104 injuries in 109 accidents. Khulna district recorded 34 accidents that resulted in 43 deaths and 38 injuries, while Bagerhat saw 48 accidents causing 45 deaths and 58 injuries.
Satkhira reported 39 accidents with 50 deaths and 43 injuries, and Narail recorded 25 accidents leading to 30 deaths and 42 injuries. Magura had 44 accidents causing 48 deaths and 42 injuries, and Jhenaidah witnessed 84 accidents with 83 deaths and 44 injuries.
Kushtia saw 103 accidents resulting in 100 deaths and 104 injuries, Chuadanga had 83 accidents with 60 deaths and 74 injuries, and Meherpur recorded 47 accidents causing 47 deaths and 65 injuries.
Engineer Tanvir Ahmed, deputy director at BRTA Khulna, attributed the high number of road accidents to weak law enforcement, poor coordination, and inadequate driver training. He also pointed to competition among vehicles, the presence of small vehicles such as nosimon, autorickshaws, and rickshaws on highways, and pedestrians’ carelessness as contributing factors.
Ahmed highlighted that three-wheeled vehicles—especially autorickshaws, nosimon, karimon, and battery-run rickshaws—are major contributors to road incidents.
Babul Hawlader, member secretary of Khulna Civil Society, blamed reckless driving, poor traffic management, and lax enforcement for the daily fatalities on roads. He called for strategic measures and stronger monitoring by authorities to significantly reduce deaths, noting that many highway crashes occur when drivers attempt risky overtaking maneuvers, increasing the risk of head-on collisions.
Authorities have stressed the urgent need for stricter traffic regulations, improved road safety infrastructure, and greater driver awareness to curb the rising trend of road accidents in the division.
Courtesy: Daily Observer Online
