The Road Safety Foundation’s latest monthly report shows a worrying toll for September 2025: 417 people were killed and 682 injured in 446 road crashes across Bangladesh. The data, compiled from nine national dailies, seven online news portals, broadcast outlets and the foundation’s own monitoring, paints a stark picture of persistent road dangers nationwide.

Motorcycle-related incidents were the single largest contributor to fatalities. Of the total deaths, 143 (34.29%) were motorcyclists or pillion riders, and motorcycle crashes accounted for 33.85% of all reported collisions. Pedestrians were the next most affected group, with 112 deaths (26.85%), while drivers and assistants accounted for 56 deaths (13.42%). Other victims included three-wheeler passengers, private-car occupants, local homemade vehicle users and bicycle or rickshaw riders.

The report breaks down accident locations and types: 36.09% of crashes occurred on national highways, 31.16% on regional roads, 12.78% on rural roads and 19.95% inside urban areas. By crash type, loss of control (38.34%) and head-on collisions (20.62%) were the leading causes; pedestrian run-downs constituted 26.68% of incidents.

In addition to road crashes, the foundation recorded 17 waterway accidents resulting in 21 deaths and 6 missing persons, and 29 rail incidents causing 27 deaths and 13 injuries for the same month. Across all road crashes, 661 vehicles were involved: heavy vehicles (trucks, covered vans, pickups, tractors) made up 25.56%, buses 18%, motorcycles 24.05%, and three-wheelers 15.27%.

The Road Safety Foundation highlights systemic issues behind the figures — weak enforcement, shortage of safety equipment, poor road design and driver behavior — and reiterates the need for urgent policy action. Its report urges targeted interventions: stricter helmet and speed enforcement, safer highway design, improved pedestrian infrastructure, public awareness campaigns and timely rescue and trauma care to reduce fatalities and injuries.