Police bolster testing efforts against drug-impaired driving

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 16: Nepal Police has strengthened efforts against drug-impaired driving across the country.

While thousands of drivers are penalised for driving under the influence of alcohol annually to reduce road mishaps, authorities have also intensified their action against drugged driving.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office (KVTPO), 149 individuals were held for driving under the influence of narcotics from different parts of the Kathmandu Valley in the fiscal year 2022/23.

The KVTPO, in coordination with the Nepal Police Hospital, Narcotics Control Bureau and local police units, have been testing drivers in different parts of the Valley with the THC kits by initiating a campaign since July 25, 2022.

Issuing a statement on Saturday, the KVTPO informed that private as well as public vehicle drivers were found driving under the influence of drugs.

On Thursday, the KVTPO detained 32-year-old Rajiv Karki, driver of a passenger Winger van (Madhes Province-03-001 Ja 0303), during a test for drug-impaired driving in Jagati, Bhaktapur. He has been kept in Police Circle, Jagati, for further legal procedures.

According to the traffic authorities, a driver found driving under the influence of narcotics is not only charged with a traffic violation but will also face legal action under the laws related to narcotics.

“Driving under the influence of narcotics is deplorable. Moreover, even those transporting innocent passengers are found to be driving after consuming drugs,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajendra Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson for the KVTPO, in a statement.

SSP Bhatta informed that passengers can give a call at 100 (Nepal Police hotline) or 103 (traffic police hotline) if they suspect their vehicle driver to be driving under the influence.

Since public vehicles are often stopped at different checkpoints, passengers could also inform a police officer there, traffic police suggested.

While the KVTPO had been 

actively checking drivers with THC kits, the initiation was not implemented by authorities outside the Valley 

until late. However, authorities in far corners of the country have also started checking vehicle drivers with THC kits recently. A week ago, the District Police Office, Ilam, had started tests for driving under the influence of narcotics with the support of the Koshi Province Ministry for Internal Affairs and Law. 

Similarly, police in Panchthar, Taplejung and Tehrathum districts of Koshi Province have also initiated the campaign actively for a week and assured to continue it effectively. “The campaign against drugged driving was initiated together in all 14 districts of Koshi Province on July 4 by setting up 20 checkpoints. 

While testing 51 suspected drivers, 18 were found driving under the influence of narcotics,” read a statement by the Sunsari-based Nepal Police Highway Security and Traffic Management Division. 

According to the Khotang District Police Office, they have also started testing drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. 

While the number of drug users has been on the rise across the country, Nepal Police has initiated the campaign in a strict manner, said senior officers at the Nepal Police Headquarters.