Dhaka Speeds up Slightly: Following PM’s lead, top officials obey traffic signals

Staff Reporter :

Compliance with traffic signals by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and other top state officials has contributed to a slight increase in vehicle speed on roads in the capital, according to a report submitted to the premier on Tuesday.

The report, which examined recent changes in traffic congestion and vehicle movement in Dhaka, was presented to the prime minister earlier in the day, said Atikur Rahman Ruman.

According to the findings, the average speed of vehicles in the capital has increased by about one kilometre per hour since the prime minister and other senior officials began travelling without the traditional VVIP and VIP traffic protocols.

The report noted that Dhaka’s normal average vehicle speed had previously stood at around 4.5 kilometres per hour—roughly equivalent to walking speed.

After assuming office, Tarique Rahman reduced the use of VVIP protocol and began complying with traffic signals during official travel, the report said.

The move appears to have helped reduce traffic disruptions that often occur when roads are cleared for high-ranking officials.

Statistics from the past 14 days cited in the report show that the average vehicle speed in the capital has increased to 5.3 kilometres per hour.

Officials said the change has been partly driven by other senior state figures following the prime minister’s example.

The country’s president, ministers and state ministers are now also adhering to traffic signals instead of using extensive traffic-clearing protocols.

The report concluded that the reduction of VVIP road closures has had a measurable impact on traffic flow, contributing to a modest improvement in vehicle movement across the congested capital.