The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has released the Motor Vehicle Speed Guidelines 2024, aiming to establish maximum speeds, regulate overspeeding, and effectively manage the speeds of all types of vehicles on roads and highways nationwide, according to a gazette notification published on Wednesday.

Under the framework of the Road Transport Act, 2018 and its associated regulations, the BRTA, for the first time, has issued such guidelines aiming to halve the number of deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.6.
Under these guidelines, the maximum speed limit for highways remains at 80 kmph while motorcycles will adhere to a maximum speed of 60 kmph. In 2015, the National Road Safety Council set the maximum speed limit for vehicles on highways at 80 kmph.

According to the Motor Vehicle Speed Limit Guidelines 2024, the maximum speed on the expressway is 80 kmph and the minimum speed is 50 kmph.
National Highway Category-A has a maximum speed of 80 kmph and a minimum speed of 50 kmph.
On National Highway Category-B, the maximum speed is 70 kmph and the minimum speed is 45 kmph.
The maximum speed on district roads is 60 km and the minimum is 40 kmph.

National highways and regional highways through city corporations, municipalities, and district headquarters have a maximum speed of 40 kmph and a minimum of 30 kmph.
The maximum speed on upazila highways is 40 kmph and the minimum is 30 kmph. The maximum speed on primary urban roads in urban areas is 40 kmph and the minimum speed is 30 kmph. Maximum speed 30 kmph minimum 20 kmph on narrow or shared roads and other roads in urban areas and maximum speed 30 kmph on rural roads.
Besides, motorcycles can run at a maximum speed of 60 kmph and a minimum speed of 30 kmph on the road.

The maximum speed limit of motor vehicles on roads or highways adjacent to various educational institutions, religious institutions, hospitals, residential areas, markets, etc will be determined by the local government organisations or the road builder or appropriate organisations. However, in no case shall it exceed 40 kmph in the case of national highways and 30 kmph in the case of regional highways.
The speed limit will be relaxed in case of vehicles engaged in emergency services, such as ambulance, fire service, etc.
This maximum speed limit obligation shall apply only under normal conditions, a manageable safe speed limit shall apply in adverse conditions such as inclement weather, extreme heat, excessive rain, fog, etc. Driving should be stopped if visibility is greatly reduced or not visible at all.

Expressways, national highways, regional highways and district roads on both sides of the entrances and fixed distance signs related to fixed speed limits for vehicles should be displayed by the road builder or appropriate organisation.
Speed limits displayed on signs in front of hilly areas, curvy roads, bends, bridges, railway or level crossings, road junctions, markets, religious institutions, educational institutions and hospitals will be applicable.
According to the special instructions, cargo vehicles and other low-speed vehicles shall always move on the left side of the road. Vehicles can only use the right lane while overtaking, and never overtake in the left lane.

If overtaking is not prohibited, overtaking can be done considering the safe conditions by looking at road traffic signs, road markings and if there is sufficient space in front and behind. Besides, while overtaking, one should be sure about the position of the oncoming vehicle in the opposite lane the position of the vehicle behind and whether there is a safe distance for overtaking or not.
If the speed limit mentioned in the guidelines is violated, legal action will be taken against the persons concerned as per the relevant section of the Road Transport Act, 2018.
One of the major causes of road accidents in the country is vehicle speed. A study conducted by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) found that 90% of accidents are attributed to drivers’ recklessness and excessive speed.

Currently, the national regional highways span a total length of 22,476.28 kilometres, while the 110 national highways cover a distance of 3,991 kilometres. Additionally, 147 regional roads stretch over 4,897 kilometres. The network also includes 735 district highways, totalling 13,588 kilometres. Furthermore, there are approximately 2,70,000 kilometres of rural roads.
Appreciating the initiative, Associate Professor of Accident Research Institute of BUET Dr SM Sohel Mahmud told the Daily Sun, “There is a need for a speed limit on the road, but it must be rational. Along with this, enforcement should be increased. Moreover, various techniques in road design can be used to reduce the speed of vehicles. Apart from this, various techniques of speed management have to be used.”