The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has officially launched the Speed Limit Guideline 2024, marking a significant advancement in road safety for the nation. Issued on May 7th, this guideline is the first comprehensive national framework to regulate vehicle speeds across Bangladesh, addressing a long-standing gap in traffic regulations. This initiative positions Bangladesh as a leader in Asia, being the first country to align its national speed limit guidelines with the stringent standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Prior to this groundbreaking guideline, Bangladesh lacked a unified system for managing vehicle speeds on both urban and highway roads throughout the country. The introduction of the Speed Limit Guideline 2024 is a proactive measure aimed at significantly reducing road traffic accidents and fatalities, which have been a pressing concern in recent years.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) officials and road safety advocates celebrate the launch of the Speed Limit Guideline 2024 in Bangladesh, a new initiative to improve road safety.
Addressing a Critical Need for Road Safety
The urgency for such guidelines is underscored by alarming statistics from the WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety. In 2021, Bangladesh tragically recorded over 31,500 road crash deaths. The fatality rate stood at a concerning 19.0 per 100,000 population, a notable increase from 15.3 in 2016. Excessive speed has been consistently identified as a major contributing factor to these crashes, making the implementation of effective speed management policies crucial.
The Speed Limit Guideline 2024 introduces several key provisions designed to enhance road safety across Bangladesh:
- Localized Speed Limit Authority: The guideline empowers local authorities to set specific maximum speed limits in designated areas. This allows for tailored speed restrictions in sensitive zones such as markets, school areas, and residential neighborhoods, where lower speeds are essential to protect vulnerable road users. These locally adjusted limits can be set below the general speed limits defined for those road types in the national guideline.
- Urban Speed Limits: Recognizing the unique challenges of urban traffic, the guideline establishes maximum speed limits within urban environments. Primary urban roads now have a speed limit of 40 km/h, while general urban areas are restricted to 30 km/h. These limits are designed to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users who are more prevalent in urban settings.
These specific measures represent a significant step forward in establishing a robust speed management system in Bangladesh. By setting clear national standards and empowering local adjustments, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority is creating a framework designed to save lives and make roads safer for everyone.
Collaborative Effort and Development Process
The development of the Speed Limit Guideline 2024 was a collaborative effort, bringing together various stakeholders dedicated to improving road safety in Bangladesh. The Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh, in partnership with the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), played a crucial role in assisting the government in drafting these vital guidelines.
GHAI was instrumental in forming the Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh in 2020, which has since been a driving force behind advocating for effective road safety policies. In the lead-up to this achievement, during the summer of 2023, GHAI, GRSP, and the coalition jointly organized strategic planning workshops. These workshops focused on defining SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) objectives for road safety advocacy and exploring effective collaboration strategies with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. A key priority identified was ensuring that the BRTA would issue speed limit guidelines capable of significantly reducing road traffic crashes and saving lives.
Road safety coalition members participate in a SMART workshop organized by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) in Bangladesh, focusing on strategic planning for the Speed Limit Guideline development in July 2023, working with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority.
To ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach, BRTA established a speed limit drafting committee. This committee included a diverse range of stakeholders, with representation from coalition organizations such as the Accident Research Institute and Nirapod Sarak Chai, demonstrating the commitment to incorporating expert and public perspectives. The coalition worked closely with BRTA and the Road Transport and Highways Division throughout the drafting process, advocating for comprehensive road safety laws and effective speed guidelines.
Furthermore, GHAI and the coalition actively facilitated road safety dialogues, organized direct meetings with key decision-makers, hosted media events, and launched social media campaigns to build public and political support for the guidelines. These extensive advocacy efforts were crucial in ensuring that the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority successfully developed and implemented the Speed Guideline 2024.
Government Commitment and Future Implementation
Mr. Md. Nuri, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division, emphasized the government’s dedication to road safety, stating, “The government has notified the speed limit guidelines for strengthening road safety. By doing this we intend to reduce the number of road crashes and save countless lives lost on the roads each year.” This statement highlights the high-level commitment to improving road safety outcomes through the implementation of these new guidelines.
Members of the Motor Vehicle Speed Limit Guideline Committee convene at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) headquarters in July 2023 to finalize the national speed limit guidelines for Bangladesh.
Looking ahead, the Road Safety Coalition will continue its collaboration with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority to develop a detailed speed limit guideline manual. This manual will serve as a practical resource for local authorities, guiding them in setting appropriate local speed limits and supporting government departments and officials in effective implementation and enforcement of the new regulations.
The Speed Limit Guideline 2024 is designed as a dynamic document, allowing for future expansion and adaptation in line with ongoing improvements in Bangladesh’s road infrastructure. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the guidelines will remain relevant and effective in contributing to road safety as the country’s transportation network evolves.
