Road accidents took 2,609 lives in 2018 in Bangladesh. In 2019, that number rose to 4,147. In 2020, - amid repeated lockdowns - it was 3,918. And, from January to August this year it has already reached 3,502, according to Bangladesh Police.

During the 2018 Road Safety Movement, where protesting students were attacked, the government had provided assurance to change things -- but has anything changed? Was it for the better or worse? This data reveals otherwise.

Has the government failed to implement those promises? Or did the promised policies lack effectiveness to begin with? When will the people of Bangladesh be able to commute safely?

In Straight from Star Newsroom, The Daily Star Reporter Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary joins Debjani Shyama to discuss road safety.