Photo : Video screenshot

SANGSAD BHABAN, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) - The government has taken an initiative to introduce Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in public transport operating on roads and highways across the country to curb road accidents and restore discipline in the road transport sector.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam disclosed the initiative today while replying to a starred question from ruling party reserved women's seat lawmaker (women's seat-31) Most. Sanjida Yasmeen in the House today.

With Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, in the chair, he said the GPS technology would enable authorities to monitor the location and speed of public transport vehicles easily.

As a result, various irregularities, including stopping vehicles indiscriminately to pick up or drop off passengers and charging excessive fares, could be brought under control, the minister said.

He added that if any public transport vehicle exceeds the prescribed speed limit or violates traffic laws, the violation would be automatically recorded. "Legal action would subsequently be taken against the concerned driver and owner," he said.

Replying to another starred question from ruling party lawmaker from Narsingdi-5 constituency Md Ashraf Uddin, Rabiul Alam said professional motor vehicle drivers were being provided with skill and awareness-building training while renewing their driving licences to reduce road accidents and ensure road safety.

He said a total of 76,463 drivers had received such training from January to July 2026.

The training covers traffic signs, signals and road markings while drivers are also being made aware of the dangers of using mobile phones while driving, driving under the influence of drugs, the importance of road safety and measures to prevent pollution.

The minister further said arrangements had been made to provide training to 60,000 drivers under the "Bangladesh Road Safety Project". 

Of them, 40,000 new drivers would receive basic training, while 20,000 heavy vehicle drivers would receive refresher training, he said.

The initiative is expected to help produce skilled and safety-conscious drivers and play an effective role in reducing road accidents, the minister added.