There has been a significant increase in the number of accidents involving BEST buses this year.
According to statistics, a total of 15 fatal accidents have been recorded so far in 2023, including five incidents in June alone. This figure has increased by almost 50 per cent compared to last year.
In 2022, 10 fatal mishaps involving the BEST buses were reported.
The number of accidents started to increase from 2019 when 15 people died and 87 were injured.
The situation continued to deteriorate in the subsequent years, with 2020 witnessing 12 deaths and 51 injured cases.
Similarly, in 2021, there were 12 deaths again and a total of 80 reported accidents, which left 63 passengers injured, with 35 classified as serious.
Although 2022 showed a slight decline in fatal accidents, with only 10 mishaps being reported. Last year, a total of 130 accidents occurred, leaving over 40 people injured.
Meanwhile, this year so far, 59 accidents have been documented, leaving 50 injured. Nine of them sustained grave wounds while others had minor injuries.
Experts said that over-speeding, especially by bus drivers on lease, causes accidents. However, data shows that BEST owned buses have more accident cases than leased ones. Another concern is the sudden increase in brake failure incidents. When asked about the issue, officials said that in most cases, drivers lose control due to other reasons, but blame brake failure.
Moreover, according to a retired BEST official, the number of fatal accidents came down from 2015-2016. Back then, 31 people died in different road accidents involving BEST buses. Likewise, in 2016- 2017, 22 fatalities were reported.
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