Ctg roads unsafe due to 44% of vehicles, 70% of bikes speeding: Survey 

In Chattogram, 44% of vehicles exceed the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority's (BRTA) speed limits, with motorcycles topping the list as 70% were found speeding, according to a new road safety survey. 

The findings point to a higher risk of crashes in the city. The survey, titled "Road Safety Risk Factors in Chattogram: Status Summary Report 2024", was conducted by JH-IIRU and CIPRB under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS).

The results were presented today (24 September) at an event jointly organised by Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU), Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB), and Vital Strategies at the Peninsula Hotel.

CCC Chief Engineer Anisur Rahman said, "The length of roads in our city is insufficient for its size. We cannot always follow every standard in road construction, but we hope to overcome these issues. CCC will set up a Road Safety Cell to coordinate interventions like speed signs and calming measures. Safe roads are key to building a green, clean, and healthy city."

The event was moderated by Kazi Burhan Uddin, project manager of CIPRB's Road Safety Program, with welcome remarks from CCC Executive Engineer Mahmud Shafqat Amin. Selim Mahmud Chowdhury, director of CIPRB, explained the survey methodology, noting that in May 2024 BRTA set new speed guidelines – 80 km/h on highways and expressways – while allowing local authorities to adjust limits by road type and vehicle category.

Presenting the results, Shirin Wadhania of JH-IIRU said the 2021-23 Chattogram City Road Safety Report found 92% of road deaths involved vulnerable users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists, and three-wheeler passengers. 

From December 2022 to November 2024, speed monitoring using global standards (50 km/h on arterial roads, 30 km/h on local and collector roads) showed 34% of vehicles on arterial roads and 45% on local roads exceeded limits. Overall, 44% of vehicles broke BRTA speed guidelines, while 70% of motorcycles tend to drive over the limit. Weekend violations were higher at 47% compared to weekdays, at 42%.

Wadhania recommended stricter speed control, installation of speed signs and calming measures, designating lanes by vehicle type, and prioritising pedestrian-friendly roads. She also urged the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) to enforce speed limits rigorously.

The event was attended by representatives from CCC, CMP, BRTA, government and non-government organisations, BIGRS partners, and civil society, who discussed how to use the survey findings in future planning.