No end to fatalities as overspeeding plagues Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway

Highlights:

• Two deadly crashes highlight Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway's growing dangers
• Thirteen accidents this month killed 10, injured 20
• Since 2022 opening, 1,303 accidents, 183 deaths reported
• Overspeeding, rear-end collisions identified as main accident causes
• Police file 350–400 overspeeding cases monthly, resources insufficient
• Experts urge cameras, engine controls, stricter road safety laws

In the early hours of 21 August, around 6am, the morning calm along the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway broke when a speeding car lost control near the Sholaghar passenger shed in Sreenagar upazila.

The vehicle overturned, leaving three people dead on the spot, including a woman, and another injured.

On the same day, around 10:30pm, a motorcycle with four passengers' lost control and fell on the road on the Nimtala-bound expressway from Sreenagar. At that moment, an overspeeding car, coming from the opposite direction, ran over them, killing two on the spot and another at hospital. 

These are not isolated events but part of a troubling pattern that has turned one of the country's most important highways into a dangerous road.

At least 13 accidents have occurred on the expressway this month alone till yesterday, killing 10 people and injuring 20. 

Since the opening of the Padma Bridge on 1 July 2022, this gateway to 21 south-western districts has seen 1,303 accidents, according to Sreenagar Fire Service and Civil Defence data. In three years, 183 lives have been lost and nearly 2,000 people injured.

June this year was the deadliest month so far, recording 24 accidents, 17 deaths and 54 injuries.

According to the Sreenagar Fire Service and Civil Defense Station, most of the accidents occurred due to rear-end collisions, with vehicles driving over the speed limit.

Md Dewan Azad, station officer of Sreenagar Fire Service and Civil Defense Station, told The Business Standard, "Our review of accidents on the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway shows that most occur when an overspeeding vehicle from behind crashes into the one in front. 

"Even if a vehicle overturns after losing control, casualties increase due to being hit by following vehicles. Therefore, it is essential to work on how to bring drivers under stricter discipline to ensure compliance with the prescribed speed limit on the expressway."

He pointed out around 25 causes behind accidents on the expressway, including overspeeding, drivers' competitive mindset, carelessness, faulty vehicles, passengers pressuring drivers to speed, lack of sufficient experience and skills among drivers, inadequate street lighting, failure to use fog lights during heavy fog, not turning on emergency lights in adverse weather, and non-compliance with traffic rules, among others.

Shibchar Highway Police OC Jahirul Islam told TBS, "Most accidents are happening due to overspeeding. We have been conducting drives with speed guns in different parts of the expressway under our jurisdiction, but that is not enough."

"Each month, we file around 350-400 cases against vehicles for overspeeding. If the number of speed detection devices and manpower is increased, it will be possible to bring vehicles on the expressway under better control," he added.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) guidelines set speed limits of 80km/h for cars, buses and minibuses, 60km/h for motorcycles and 50km/h for trucks, with penalties of three months in jail or a Tk10,000 fine. 

In reality, few drivers pay attention.

Dr Shariful Alam, country coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) for the Road Safety programme, told TBS, "Although speed limit guidelines exist, they are not being followed on the ground. Monitoring speed at just one or two points on the expressway with speed guns and imposing nominal fines cannot significantly reduce accidents."

"What is needed is installing cameras at different points along the expressway to record vehicle speeds and identify those violating the law. With such records, it would be possible to hold vehicles accountable even 10 days later by tracking their registration numbers."

He suggested that technology could play a stronger role.

"BRTA could introduce a system in vehicle engines that would automatically shut them down if they exceed the speed limit. Such technologies already exist in many countries. At the same time, it is crucial for the government to approve and enforce a new road safety law," he said.