Staff Correspondent

The public transport drivers in Dhaka on Friday were seen as reluctant to obey the speed limit of their vehicles set by the government in a bid to reduce the number of road accidents across the country.

Visiting roads and highways in and out of the capital Dhaka, it was noticed that most of the vehicles are not complying with the speed limit set by the government.

Besides, most of the buses and private cars are seen running at a speed of 100 or more per hour when there is an empty road in front of them.

However, the highway police were seen engaged in keeping a close watch on the vehicular movement to enforce the speed limit rules. They were also seen carrying out efforts to build awareness among the public transport drivers in this regard.

While talking to our correspondent, many passengers welcomed the government decision saying that the step will help reduce the number of road accidents in the country.

On the contrary, the drivers expressed their mixed reactions saying that sometimes, they feel compelled to keep pace with the constraint time.

Earlier, the government has set maximum speed limits for cars, buses, and minibuses on expressways at 80 kilometres per hour, with motorcycles limited to 60 kmph, and trucks to 50 kmph.

In urban areas like district towns, municipalities, and city corporation areas, the speed limit is set at 30 km/h for bikes and trucks, and 40 km/h for other vehicles, according to the Motor Vehicle Speed Limit Guideline 2024.

Those who exceed the speed limit will be subject to punitive measures according to the Road Transport Act 2018.

They may incur a maximum penalty of three months' imprisonment, a Tk 10,000 fine, or both.

Bangladesh Road Transport Director (Road Safety) published a gazette notification on 8 May to reduce the number of road crashes in the country.