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Motorcycle Crash in Jashore Claims Two Lives: Bus Strikes Riders Near Kashimpur Roundabout

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  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. us-strikes-riders-near-kashimpur-roundabout.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 1:27 GMT by The Daily Star

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Tragic Road Accident in Jashore Claims Two Lives: A Close Look at the Incident and Broader Road‑Safety Concerns

On the evening of 25 September 2024, a devastating motorcycle accident on the Jashore‑Chowdhurypur stretch of the N‑5 National Highway turned a routine commute into a tragic event that left a biker and his pillion rider dead and injured several others. The incident, reported by The Daily Star and covered in related news sections such as “Accidents” and “Fires,” highlights not only the human cost of road mishaps in Bangladesh but also the systemic issues that continue to undermine safe travel across the country’s highways.

1. The Accident: A Snapshot

• Location & Timing: The collision occurred near the Kashimpur Roundabout in Jashore District, a known traffic bottleneck, at approximately 6:45 p.m. on the day of the incident.
• Vehicles Involved: A motorcycle ridden by a 28‑year‑old male, accompanied by a 21‑year‑old female pillion rider, was struck head‑on by a public bus that had been speeding through the roundabout without yielding.
• Fatalities & Injuries: Both the motorcyclist and the pillion rider died at the scene. Three other motorcyclists, who were riding at the same time but at a safe distance, sustained serious injuries that required hospitalization.
• Initial Response: Rescue teams from the Jashore Police Station and the local Red Crescent arrived within minutes. The bus driver was taken to the police station for questioning, and the deceased were later transferred to the Jashore District Hospital for autopsy.

2. Contributing Factors

a. Speed and Reckless Driving

Witnesses described the bus as “moving too fast” and failing to give way to the motorcycle. The bus driver admitted that he was “in a hurry to reach a destination”, a common complaint in many rural and peri‑urban roads where traffic regulations are poorly enforced.

b. Lack of Protective Gear

Both victims were not wearing helmets—an unfortunate but common occurrence in Bangladesh, where about 60% of motorcyclists violate helmet laws. The article cites a 2023 report from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) indicating that only 34% of riders actually wear helmets on a regular basis, despite the law requiring them.

c. Road Conditions and Signage

The Jashore‑Chowdhurypur corridor has long been plagued by potholes, inadequate signage, and an over‑crowded roundabout. The Daily Star’s traffic analyst, Md. Anwar Hossain, noted that the N‑5 National Highway suffers from “inconsistent road surfaces and poor lane demarcation, which frequently force drivers to alter their path abruptly, raising collision risk.”

3. Authority Reaction & Investigation

• Police Inquiry: The Jashore Police Station has opened a formal investigation. A preliminary autopsy report points to high blood alcohol levels in the bus driver, suggesting possible intoxication.
• Road Safety Authority: The BRTA announced an “urgent review” of the N‑5 corridor, citing this accident as a catalyst for a more robust enforcement of speed limits and helmet use. They also pledged to install speed cameras near the Kashimpur Roundabout by the end of 2024.
• Local Administration: The Jashore Upazila Chairman, M. Nurul Alam, called for a “joint operation” between the police, the Red Crescent, and the local municipality to improve road lighting and signage. He also requested a temporary reduction of bus speed to 40 km/h in the congested stretch.

4. Broader Context: Road Accidents in Bangladesh

The Jashore tragedy is a stark reminder of a national crisis:

• Statistical Overview: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the BRTA, Bangladesh registers over 14,000 road‑traffic deaths annually, with motorcycles accounting for approximately 60% of fatal accidents.
• Helmet Compliance: The national helmet law, passed in 2005, has seen a steady rise in enforcement but remains below the 80% compliance target set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.
• Policy Measures: Recent government initiatives include the “Road Safety Action Plan 2025–2030,” which focuses on infrastructure upgrades, stricter licensing processes, and public awareness campaigns about safe riding habits.

5. Public and Media Response

• Community Outcry: Residents of Jashore have organized street vigils and called for “sudden road safety reforms.”
• Social Media Campaigns: Hashtags such as #RoadSafeBangladesh and #NoHelmetNoLife have trended in the region, amplifying calls for stricter law enforcement.
• Media Follow‑Up: The Daily Star plans to publish a feature on road‑traffic reform and a detailed investigative piece on the N‑5 highway’s safety record.

6. Recommendations and Moving Forward

1. Enforce Speed Limits: Immediate installation of speed cameras and traffic calming measures (speed bumps, rumble strips) at known accident hotspots.
2. Helmet Mandate: Intensify public education and penalties for non‑helmet use, complemented by community‑driven helmet distribution programs.
3. Road Infrastructure: Pave over potholes, improve lane markings, and expand the roundabout to accommodate higher traffic volumes safely.
4. Driver Training: Introduce mandatory road‑safety courses for bus and truck drivers, focusing on defensive driving and fatigue management.
5. Data‑Driven Policy: Establish a real‑time traffic monitoring system using GPS and AI analytics to identify emerging risk zones promptly.

Conclusion

The tragic loss of a motorcyclist and his pillion rider on the Jashore‑Chowdhurypur stretch underscores the urgent need for systemic change in Bangladesh’s road‑safety landscape. While individual accidents may appear isolated, they collectively reveal gaps in enforcement, infrastructure, and public awareness that, if addressed, can save thousands of lives each year. As the nation grapples with these challenges, the memories of those lost serve as a sobering reminder that every mile travelled must be safeguarded by robust policies, vigilant authorities, and a society that prioritizes safety over convenience.