Govt continues work to reduce accidents, casualties on roads, highways: Minister Rabiul

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today (15 June) said in the parliament that the government has fixed maximum speed limits for vehicles on roads and highways across the country and is continuing effective monitoring to ensure their implementation with a view to reducing road accidents and casualties.

Responding to a tabled scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Md Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9) in parliament, he said, “The government is working continuously to reduce road accidents and the number of fatalities and injuries on roads and highways.” 

The days sitting began with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair.

The minister said under Sub-section (1) of Section 44 of the Road Transport Act, 2018 and Sub-rule (4) of Rule 125 of the Road Transport Rules, 2022, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) issued the ‘Motor Vehicle Speed Limit Guidelines 2024’ on 7 May 2024 for determining, regulating and managing maximum speed limits for motor vehicles on roads and highways.

“The guidelines were introduced to ensure safer road use and bring greater discipline to traffic management across the country,” Rabiul Alam told the House.

He outlined a series of measures taken by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to monitor and enforce speed limits.

“These measures include the installation and maintenance of speed-limit and traffic signs, implementation of traffic-calming arrangements such as rumble strips, speed-control zones, service lanes, medians and channelisation systems,” he added.

Rabiul Alam added that the government is also using Intelligent Transport System (ITS) technology on highways to identify vehicles violating speed limits and take necessary actions against offenders.

“Speed-limit enforcement is being carried out in coordination with BRTA, police and local administration,” he said.

The minister further noted that recommendations are being provided for fixing appropriate speed limits, considering the type of road and the surrounding areas. Highlighting additional safety initiatives, he said, “Through road safety audits and traffic monitoring, black spots are being identified, high-risk sections caused by excessive speed are being analysed, and necessary speed-control measures are being implemented wherever required.”

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening road safety and ensuring strict compliance with the prescribed speed limits to reduce accidents and save lives.