The government has releasedthe Motor Vehicle Speed Limit Guideline-2024, making 80kilometres per hour the highest speed limit for cars, buses, minibuses and cargo vehicles on expressways and national highways of Category A.
All vehicles from now on will have designated speed limits based on the kinds of roads they travel on.For example, motorcycles will be able to cruise at a maximum of 60kmph and the limit is 50kmph for trucks, according to the guideline.
The guideline asked all goods-laden vehicles and slow vehicles always to drive on the left lane of the road. They will go to the right lane only while overtaking. Overtaking using the left lane has been prohibited for any type of vehicle.
If drivers violate the speed limit, they will be fined under the Road Transport Act 2018 up to Tk 10,000 or serve three months in jail, according to the guideline formulated by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The Road Transport and Highways Division approved the guideline this week.
It said that due to the expansion of the improved nationwide communication network, the number of high-speed passenger and goods transport on the roads and highways is increasing and often unexpected accidents occur. One of the causes of road accidents in Bangladesh is the excessive speed of motor vehicles and reckless driving. Due to speeding, the degree of injury is also excessive. The new guidelines have been issued to reduce the number of people killed and injured in road accidents by half by 2030.
The maximum speed limit of motor vehicles on roads adjacent to educational institutions, religious institutions, hospitals, residential areas and markets will be determined by the local government or the road constructing authorities but in no case shall it exceed 40 kmph in case of national highways and 30 kmph in case of regional highways, said the guideline.
However, the speed limit will be relaxed only in case of vehicles engaged in emergency services, such as ambulance, fire service, etc.
The mandatory maximum speed limit will only apply under normal conditions. However, the controllable safe speed limit will be applicable in adverse conditions such as inclement weather, hot sun, heavy rain, dense fog, etc. If visibility is greatly reduced or not visible at all, the motor vehicle should be stopped, the guideline said.
The speed limits
Light four-wheelers like private cars, SUVs and microbuses will have a maximum of 80kmph cruising speed on expressways and national highways of Category A. They will also be allowed to move at 70kmph maximum speed on national highways of category B, 60kmphon district roads, and 40 kmph on highways and local roads going through city corporations, municipalities and district headquarters, upazila highways, and primary urban roads. In urban roads and rural roads, these vehicles will move at 30kmph.
Bus, minibuses and heavy cargo vehicles will travel at a maximum of 80 kmph on highways, 60kmph on district roads and 40kmphon other types of roads.
For mini trucks and covered vans,the maximum speed is 50kmph on expressways and highways, 40kmph on district roads and 30kmphelsewhere.
Motorcycles willtravel at a maximum speed of 60kmph on expressways, 50kmph on national highways and district roads, and 30kmph elsewhere including inside cities.
Articulated vehicles can cruise at a maximum speed of 50kmph on expressways and highways, 40kmph on district roads and 30kmph elsewhere.
Three-wheelers will not plyon expressways and highways. It can travel on other roads at a maximum speed of 30kmph subject to permission. In towns, their speed will be 20kmph.
