Tips for Riding or Driving Safely on Bangladeshi Highways

By Humyra Sharmind Alam

02 Dec 2025

6 mins read

By Humyra Sharmind Alam02 Dec 2025

6 mins read

Highways in Bangladesh are among the fastest and most unpredictable, in addition to being mainly full of mixed traffic-buses and trucks, as well as motorbikes, rickshaws, and pedestrians. For driving safely, riders and drivers will have to remain alert, patient, and ready to deal with sudden hazards. Riding on highways in Bangladesh requires good judgment, discipline, and road awareness. Having the right habits, defensive mentality, and astute planning, any long-distance trip will be safer and more comfortable. Roaming or driving on a motorbike or a car, adhering to the basic long drive safety tips, may help a lot to minimize the risks and eventually lead to better road safety in Bangladesh.

Challenges of Bangladeshi Highways

Most of the Bangladeshi highways are used by a combination of low and high-speed vehicles, unlike the controlled expressways. Rapid lane changes, transport overloading, marketplaces along the roadways, and a high number of pedestrian crossings generate unpredictable hazards. The road lights are not well lit and there is a lack of signages, which make the journey riskier. That is why it is important to anticipate and be alert in driving safely on highways. Being aware of such pitfalls will guide you to be more prepared, calm down, and make fast yet safe decisions when required.

1. Maintaining Safe Speed & Distance

Highways promote faster speeds, and the principal cause of fatal accidents in Bangladesh is overspeeding. Avoid speeding when the weather or road conditions are bad. Always maintain a minimum gap of 3-4 seconds between the cars ahead. Bikers need to be particularly careful; high wind pressure and abrupt stopping of bigger cars will put your bike out of balance.

2. Use Proper Lane Discipline

One of the largest weaknesses of highway riding on local highways is lane discipline. Numerous accidents occur merely due to the fact that drivers change lanes without giving signals. Follow these rules:

Always signal before switching lanes.
Do not remain in the blind spots of trucks and buses.
And in the case of motorbikes, do not ride between two vehicles moving at high speed.

3. Stay Alert for Overtaking and Counter-Flow Traffic

Passing on the Bangladeshi highways involves patience as well as accuracy. Never overtake on curves, junctions, or areas with limited visibility. When passing, make sure that the lanes on the left are clear and the vehicle that you pass does not have the accelerator pressed. Be prepared for:

Wrong-side vehicles.
Threewheelers coming in unexpectedly.
Suddenly crossing pedestrians.

4. Check Your Vehicle Before Every Long Trip

You must always check your vehicle before you go on a long trip. Such a step will allow avoiding countless breakdowns and accidents. Check Tyre pressure and condition of treads, Brakes, Lights and indicators, Engine oil and coolant, Mirror adjust position, and Fuel level. In the case of the motorbikes, it is important to ensure that your chain is oiled and your helmet visor is clear. Such simple Long drive safety tips make it a more comfortable and safe experience.

5. Use Safety Gear

The right equipment is the beginning of safety. It is important to wear a certified full-face helmet to cushion your head and face in case of an accident when riding a bike. Use it with armored jackets, gloves, and correct shoes to protect your body, hands, and feet against being hit or scraped. The most important thing when riding at night is visibility. Wearing bright or reflective clothing ensures visibility, allowing other drivers to spot you from a distance.

And to the Drivers of cars, make use of your seat belts as an initial defense. Always make sure that you are buckled together with your passengers, including the back seat. Proper airbags offer additional safety in a collision and therefore ensure that they are in good shape. Good safety equipment and regular use will significantly reduce the chances of getting major injuries when facing an accident, and you will have peace of mind when driving on the road.

6. Avoid Night Travel Whenever Possible

Driving at night on the highways of Bangladesh has its own challenges. Lack of proper or unstable road lighting complicates the ability to see hazards. High beams are abused by many drivers to temporarily blind other drivers, and fatigue complicates the response. The fact that there are trucks and heavy vehicles adds to the risk. In case it is necessary to travel at night, slow down, do not directly stare at the oncoming headlights, and be even more attentive. Night-time driving requires additional caution due to reduced visibility.

7. Take Breaks During Long Drives

One of the deadly highway killers is fatigue. Have a short rest after every 1.5-2 hours of driving. Warm up, drink water, and rejuvenate your brain. In the case of motorcyclists, you should put your brakes even earlier since the long rides not only overstretch your body but also focus.

Final Thoughts

Patience, skill, and awareness are needed in highway safety. You can experience safer trips across Bangladesh by keeping the speed under control, wearing protective equipment, planning routes, and paying attention. Safe driving is not about protecting yourself only, but also protecting the rest of the road users. Be disciplined, be calm, and put safety first.