They were sparked by the deaths of two college students in Dhaka struck by a bus operated by an unlicensed driver racing another to collect passengers first. The incident impelled students to demand safer roads and stricter traffic laws. The demonstrations rapidly spread throughout the country.[2][3] Though the protests were largely peaceful, the situation worsened on 4 August when police and the student wing of the governing Bangladesh Awami League started attacking protesters and journalists.[4][5]