The First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) has announced the filing of video cases against vehicles for overspeeding on the first elevated access control highway from February 21.
As the company experiences average 400 cases of driving over 100 kilometres per hour daily, it has taken the initiative with the help of the Traffic Department of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to file video cases against speed violators.
Hasib Hasan Khan, manager operation and management at the Department of Security and Traffic Control of the FDEE, disclosed the information at a press conference at the FDEE's Central Control Room office building in Kuril on Saturday.
He said since opening 10km of the DEE partially on 02 September 2023, the company has found overspeeding driving ranging over 100km per hour to 198kmph regularly as against allowable speed limit of 60kmph.
As the overspeeding driving has damaged road surface and other infrastructures, the company has compelled to take support from the DMP to file cases against the vehicles.
"We have to face various kinds of problems for the high speed and overspeeding on the expressway every day as many drivers drive on the elevated road just like runway continuously crisscrossing the left and right lane," the retired army personnel shared the experience, saying that the company has so far tried to manage the cases by own initiatives, but the number is increasing.
Mr Hasan said 90 cases of engine problems, 51 tyre burst, 20 fuel run-out vehicles and 10 accidents were recorded by the FDEE control room in January which occurred due to carelessness of vehicle owners and drivers.
The official also said if any vehicle facing cases violates the speed limit for three times, it will be barred from entering the expressway in the future.
The FDEE O & M company has already shared all the problems faced due to careless driving and lack of consciousness with DEE's public partner Bangladesh Bridge Authority and DMP and agreed in principle to increase the allowable speed limit to 80 kmph from 60 kmph on the first lane of the expressway.
However, the DMP DC, Traffic Uttara has been filing cases against the overspeeding vehicle drivers identifying speed guns for long letting them to fine under the Road Transport Act 2018.
DC (Traffic Uttara) Mohammad Mofijul Islam told the FE over phone that they have been examining the FDEE's proposal and will try to take actions.
According to RTA, the fine for an overspeeding private car is Tk 2,500 which would be double if the vehicle violates rules again.
smunima@yahoo.com
