For Road Safety

Every day we come to hear the news of passenger vehicles meeting an accident and killing many people. The increase in the frequency and severity of road accidents demands the concerned authorities to work for road safety and mitigation of accidents. Seven people died and six others were injured in a road accident that occurred in Darchula district on November 15. Five people were killed and five others injured when an electric vehicle travelling from Mugling to Narayangarh collided with the bus heading from the opposite direction on November 8. Two people died in two separate road accidents that occurred in Udaypur on November 15. These incidents are just the representative ones among so many fatalities taking place in different parts of the country. 

The number of deaths and injuries due to road accidents is alarmingly high. Likewise, there has also been a rise in road accidents on the new tracks opened to expand road networks. These tracks have turned into death traps as accidents have become too frequent along them. Driver’s negligence, poor condition of roads and lack of proper implementation and poor adherence to traffic rules are the main causes of road accidents. Majority of our roads lack proper infrastructure like street signs, speed breakers and street lights. Vigilance of traffic police is also needed. 

The incessant rain on September 28 and 29 that caused massive floods and landslides in Bagmati and Koshi Province, caused significant damage to the major highways, making travelling an ordeal, adding to the number of road accidents. Highways are the economic lifeline for millions of people, and they should be in good condition to facilitate the travel of people and the transportation of goods. Natural calamities do damage infrastructures like roads, power plants and other structures but the government should focus on repairing and maintaining those roads promptly.

In a discussion programme held at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday, Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak asked not to carry more passengers than the capacity of the vehicles, to fine and punish those involved in overspeeding while implementing the driver's license distribution process strictly and improving the condition of roads. More traffic personnel should be deployed at various checkpoints and traffic inspection increased to control drunk driving and overspeeding. Goods should not be carried in passenger vehicles and passengers should not travel in cargo vehicles. The concerned authorities should pay attention to immediately maintaining roads to lower the number of accidents. 

Likewise, a half-hour break for drivers after every four hours on the road can help avoid accidents as exhausted drivers on the wheels tend to lack proper concentration. Passenger vehicles should be restricted to carry more passengers than the total number of seats. The long-distance vehicles need to have two drivers and the drivers need to rotate in every six hours. Traffic rules should be strictly followed by all and the authority should ensure that vehicles are in good condition. Likewise, the government should upgrade the condition of major highways and other roads to minimise the occurrences of road accidents.