The government’s initiative to limit vehicle speed on roads and highways is commendable, but experts have expressed concerns about its implementation due to several challenges, such as the lack of a lane system and the mix of mechanised and non-mechanised vehicles on the same roads.

They have also pointed out the difficulty of enforcing speed limits given the shortage of technical capacity and manpower within the highway police and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the new speed limit directive.

Md Hadiuzzaman, a transport expert and professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, told the Daily Sun, “The speed limit set by the government is completely unscientific given our current road transport system. Our roads do not support lane-based traffic. To adapt this speed limit to our roads, we need long-term planning and a mature policy.”

“In Dhaka city, there are 18 types of vehicles on the roads. It is impossible to implement lane-based driving with such a variety. The concept of lanes will not work if small and large vehicles move together. Other countries can implement lane-based driving because they have fewer types of vehicles. To make this speed limit effective, we must first reduce the variety of vehicles,” he added.

Observations on various roads in the capital revealed that the speed limit is not being adhered to anywhere. Additionally, there is a lack of monitoring to enforce these limits. Sedans, motorcycles, buses, and trucks all use the 300 feet road, with rickshaws occasionally seen as well. No vehicles are maintaining the prescribed speed and are instead driving recklessly on empty stretches.

For example, the speed limit is ignored behind the Parliament building and on the road near Chandrima Udyan. This disregard for speed limits is prevalent on all roads in the capital. There is a complete lack of order on the roads, with rickshaws and bicycles running alongside buses and private cars on main thoroughfares. The presence of motorcycles further adds to the chaos. Where vehicles are parked on the road, vehicle speeds are reduced, leading to traffic jams.

ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, told the Daily Sun, “The speed limit guidelines have been established in a completely scientific manner, and mobile courts have been deployed nationwide to enforce them at the field level. A guideline is essential for any implementation, and we have provided that. The guidelines will be implemented gradually, and vehicles will also start running in designated lanes.

Regarding concerns about the speed limit for motorcycles in cities, the secretary said, “We have received feedback. However, can a motorcycle safely be driven at more than 30 km/h in cities? People are dying in accidents; we must adhere to regulations to ensure safety.”

Saidur Rahman, chief executive of the Road Safety Foundation, told the Daily Sun, “Reckless speed is not the only issue on our roads.

Addressing the speed limit alone, while ignoring other problems, will not restore order. Instead, there is a risk of extortion by some police officers under the guise of speed control, which would increase the suffering of drivers and passengers. Additionally, the presence of vehicles travelling at different speeds on the same road could lead to an increase in accidents.”

Dissatisfaction over motorcycle speed limits in cities

The maximum speed for motorcycles in cities has been set at 30 km/h, 60 km/h on expressways, and 50 km/h on national highways. However, bikers are raising concerns about the city speed limit.

Md Atikul Islam, a regular motorcycle rider in the capital, told the Daily Sun, “On what basis was the 30 km/h speed limit for motorcycles determined? This decision is unscientific.

I have tried driving at 30 km/h, but it is impractical. Buses, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws, and other vehicles may rear-end my bike if I stick to this speed, increasing the risks of accidents. It is doubtful that those who made this decision have ever ridden a motorcycle.”

Transport expert Md Hadiuzzaman told the Daily Sun, “The engineering concept of those on the committee is unclear. Proper traffic engineering knowledge is needed. It seems the committee members lacked a clear understanding of traffic engineering.”

“If there is a separate speed limit for motorcycles, there should be a separate lane. Given our system, a general maximum speed limit for the city might be appropriate, with instructions to slow down in hazardous areas. A maximum speed limit can be imposed on national highways and rural roads, setting limits based on the road rather than the vehicle,” he added.