Bangladesh has a long and horrifying history of road accidents, with speeding and reckless driving leaving a trail of devastation in our wake. In a bid to shatter this vicious cycle of accidents and damage, the government has unveiled the Motor Vehicle Speed Limit Guideline-2024.

This comprehensive set of rules issued by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) throws down the gauntlet to reckless drivers and aims to put the brakes on the alarming number of road crashes. Belt up as we explore this pivotal moment in the country’s journey towards safer roads and a future free from the tragic consequences of speeding.

The Motor Speed Limit Guideline-2024 is here to ensure a smoother and safer ride for everyone on the road. This new guideline meticulously assigns speed limits based on vehicle type and road category, creating a clear system for navigating the country’s diverse roadways. Imagine cruising down a wide expressway.

The new guidelines allow cars, buses and minibuses to travel at a brisk 80 kilometres per hour, perfect for efficient travel. Motorcycles can zoom alongside at 60 kmph, while trucks maintain a safe pace at 50 kmph. Importantly, three-wheelers have been permanently banned from operating on expressways or national highways.

National highways offer a variety of speed limits depending on the road category. Light vehicles can reach speeds of 80 kmph on category A highways, while category B allows for 70 kmph. Trucks need to exercise extra caution with lower limits of 50 kmph and 45 kmph on category A and B highways respectively.

Cities call for a more cautious pace. Within city corporations, municipalities and district towns, the speed limit dips to 40 kmph for cars, buses, and minibuses. Motorcycles, trucks and articulated lorries need to stay even slower at 30 kmph.

The guideline extends its reach to upazila and village roads, ensuring safety across the nation’s transportation network. Local administrations have the authority to further adjust speed limits near sensitive areas like schools, religious institutions, hospitals, markets and residential areas. On national highways, these adjusted limits can be as low as 40 kmph, while regional highways might see restrictions down to 30 kmph.

As a striking feature, the new guidelines hit violators hard. Forget a slap on the wrist - under the Road Transport Act-2018, flouting the speed limit could land one behind bars for three months or leave their wallet a sizeable Tk10,000 lighter. This kind of deterrent is crucial to making drivers think twice before turning the streets into a racetrack.

The newly minted guidelines intend to bring much-needed relief to road users. Think of driving comfortably down a highway at a steady clip, only to slam on the brakes because the posted speed limit suddenly and inexplicably drops. That confusing mess is a thing of the past! The speed limit guidelines tackle this inconsistency head-on.

In the past, different government agencies set their own speed limits for similar roads, creating a frustrating maze for drivers. That patchwork system is thrown out and replaced with a clear, nationwide standard outlined in the guidelines. Now, drivers can cruise with confidence, knowing the speed limit signs actually make sense.

While the introduction of the guidelines is a significant stride towards enhancing road safety, its successful implementation hinges on several key factors. As well as putting up appropriate signage and deploying law enforcers, building public awareness is the key to greasing the wheels for a smooth transition to the new speed limits. We need a multi-pronged strategy to get everyone on board.

The government should launch a blitz of awareness campaigns. No driver should be left in the dark about the importance of abiding by the new limits and the potential consequences of disregarding them – think suspended licenses and hefty fines!

Streamlining the enforcement process is all too crucial. We need to ditch the guesswork and potential for human error. Digital traffic cops like automatic speed detection machines can be our secret weapon. They will enforce the rules fairly and efficiently, minimising arbitrary fines or harassment.

Despite emphasising the importance of strong penalties for errant drivers, the guideline is not about hitting drivers with a brake pedal of fines.

It is about putting safety in the driver’s seat – for passengers and everyone sharing the road. We dream of a symphony of cooperation, where drivers, authorities and communities work together to create a harmonious flow of safe and responsible travel. That is the road we are paving with these guidelines.

In the end, the 2024 Motor Vehicle Speed Limit Guideline will hopefully be a game-changer for Bangladesh’s roads.

Clear limits, tough penalties and uniform rules aim to slam the brakes on crashes and save lives. By deploying well-oiled public awareness campaigns and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we can shift gears towards a safer future. But this requires everyone – drivers, authorities and citizens alike – to pitch in. Only through collective action can Bangladesh’s vision of safer roads become a reality.

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The writer is an IT Professional. Email: [email protected]