Road signs in Bangladesh

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Road signs in Bangladesh

Road signs in Bangladesh follow a standard system described in the Traffic Signs Manual published by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The signs help drivers and pedestrians stay safe, follow traffic rules, and find their way on roads and highways.

Main types of signs

1) Regulatory signs
- What they do: Tell you what you must or must not do.
- Examples:
- Stop and give way
- No entry
- No motor vehicles
- No pedestrians
- No trucks
- No handcarts
- No rickshaws
- No U-turn
- No parking
- Speed limit
- One-way traffic

2) Warning signs
- What they do: Warn you about dangers or changes ahead.
- Examples:
- Crossroads or junctions ahead
- Side road ahead (left or right)
- Staggered junction ahead
- T-junction ahead
- Y-junction ahead
- Roundabout ahead
- Sharp bends (left or right)
- Hairpin bends
- Road narrows (both sides or on one side)
- Steep hills (up or down)
- Road works ahead
- Slippery surface
- Narrow bridge
- Uneven road
- Countryside or animals crossing

3) Indication signs
- What they do: Give directions, place names, or indicate facilities.
- Examples:
- No through road
- Pedestrian crossing
- Parking place
- Bus stop, taxi stop
- Police or hospital
- Mosques, temples, churches
- Exit from built-up area
- Routes for pedestrians, cycles, or rickshaws
- Direction signs for national highways and major routes

4) Additional signs
- What they do: Provide extra or temporary information.
- Examples:
- Distances or how far a hazard extends
- Temporary diversions and layouts of detours
- Lane closures (temporary)
- Time period signs (when a restriction applies)
- Other specific notices (for example, roadworks, parking restrictions)

5) Traffic signals
- What they do: Control the flow of traffic at intersections with lights.
- Includes standard signals and variations used in Bangladesh.

Other details
- Bangladesh also uses signs that denote routes for cycles, rickshaws, buses, and various vehicle categories.
- Signs use colors and shapes to convey meaning quickly: regulatory signs are often circular or rectangular with bold borders; warning signs are usually triangular; information and direction signs are typically rectangular or square.
- The signs are designed to be understood by drivers of different languages and literacy levels, focusing on clear symbols and simple wording where needed.

In short, the road signs in Bangladesh are organized into four main groups—Regulatory, Warning, Indication, and Additional signs—plus traffic signals. They work together to keep people safe, help traffic move smoothly, and guide travelers on roads and highways across the country. For more detail, you can refer to the BRTA’s Traffic Signs Manual.