Govt introducing new road safety policy

Treatment and compensation to be covered through fund 

Kathmandu, Mar. 7: The government has proposed to cover the treatment expenses of individuals seriously injured in road accidents through the new and separate Road Safety Fund. This provision is being introduced in the draft of the National Road Safety Policy-2081, which aims to reduce road traffic accidents.

The new policy, prepared in consultation with the experts and various stakeholders, will make it mandatory for the Road Safety Fund and health insurance to cover the rehabilitation and medical treatment of seriously injured individuals, and compensation for damages caused by road accidents. 

The new draft of the National Road Safety Policy which was published and posted by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on its website stated that the proposed Public Road Bill-2081 also includes a provision to revise road accident insurance as per current needs.

Under the existing insurance regulations, passengers, their belongings, drivers, workers, vehicles, and third-party individuals and properties affected by an accident are entitled to a fixed compensation amount. Specifically, insurance provides Rs. 500,000 in case of death and up to Rs. 300,000 for medical treatment of the injured.

However, since the current 

process is complex and often benefits only those with influence or 

access to higher authorities, the government is now working on constituting the Road Safety Fund.

The Transport Reform Recommendation Task Force had suggested that the maximum insurance coverage for the treatment of critically injured individuals should be set at Rs. 2.5 million. This recommendation was included in the task force's report on improving the insurance status of public transport.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport had formed a seven-member Transport Reform Recommendation Task Force, led by former secretary Sharad Chandra Paudel, to study the overall situation of the transport sector, and the task force made this recommendation to the government.

With increasing number of road accidents in Nepal, the government has been under growing pressure to introduce a National Road Safety Policy.

Due to high road density and increasing vehicle congestion, around seven persons lose their lives daily in road accidents. 

The government reports indicate that approximately 3,000 persons die in road accidents annually.

These accidents not only result in the tragic loss of lives but also leave dependent families in financial distress while forcing transport businesses to bear significant financial losses.

"Since existing policies lack specific sectoral provisions related to road safety, the government is now drafting the National Road Safety Policy-2081 to address these issues. Currently, the government is gathering feedback from various stakeholders on the policy draft," said Shanker Singh Dhami, chief of the Road Division at the Ministry. As the draft has been finalised, the Ministry will soon take decision when to forward it to the Cabinet for its endorsement and implementation, said Dhami. 

Apart from this new policy, the Ministry has also prepared and finalised drafts of two separate bills --- the Public Road Bill-2081 and the National Transport Policy-2081.

Road accidents and their impact

Road accidents have had severe negative impacts on health, tourism, economy, society, psychology, and the national economy, the draft of the policy indicates. According to a survey, low- and middle-income countries have suffered economic losses of approximately 5 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to road accidents.

Considering the fiscal year 2018/19 as the base year, Nepal suffered an economic loss of approximately Rs. 173 billion due to road accidents in that year.

Although the government formulated and implemented the National Road Safety Action Plan (2013–2020) based on international practices, weak implementation has failed to significantly reduce road traffic accidents.

The primary causes of most road accidents include inadequate safety measures in road infrastructure and vehicles, lack of adherence to traffic discipline, ineffective rescue and rehabilitation post-accidents, and insufficient resources.

Additionally, lack of research and development in road safety, absence of integrated information systems, and lack of scientific traffic management systems have contributed to the increasing number of daily road accidents. Former AIG and ex-chief of Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office Bigyan Raj Sharma said it has already become too late to bring policy and proper road safety law in accordance with the new federal structure. 

The primary objective of this policy is to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries from road accidents to zero. Moreover, the government aims to reduce the current rate of deaths and injuries by at least 50 per cent by 2030 and completely eliminate them by 2050, reads the draft of the policy.

Regulations regarding vehicles

To reduce the increasing number of road accidents, the government has introduced specific provisions for vehicles under this policy.

Standards and safety measures will be determined and enforced for special-purpose vehicles, including ambulances, security vehicles, rapid response vehicles, fire trucks, garbage trucks, fuel tankers, gas bullet trucks, excavators, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials.

The policy encourages the use of safety equipment in vehicles as per the standards. Roadworthiness tests and vehicle inspections will be improved, according to the draft. 

Modern, well-equipped vehicle testing centres will be established and operated at the provincial level, the policy reads.

Additionally, vehicle manufacturers, repair workshops, and assembly plants must comply with internationally accepted safety standards.

Post-accident rescue and management

The government has also introduced provisions for post-accident rescue and management through this new policy.

To enhance rescue operations, a Unified Command Centre will be established and operated in coordination with relevant authorities, it is said. 

Infrastructure for healthcare facilities along high-risk roads will be improved to ensure timely treatment for accident victims.

Rescue capacity will be enhanced, and immediate response methods will be implemented. Primary emergency rescue services, including ambulance services, will be strengthened, and healthcare institutions will be mobilised effectively for initial and definitive treatment of the injured.

Fire control, vehicle extrication, towing, and rescue services will be upgraded and established at the provincial level.

The policy also includes legal provisions for volunteers and Good Samaritans involved in road accident rescues.

Provision of road safety fund

To implement road safety initiatives, the government has decided to establish a Road Safety Fund through the National Road Safety Council.

This fund will provide technical and financial support to road safety agencies for institutional strengthening. It will also be used for the national road safety plan, accident-related compensation, rehabilitation of seriously injured individuals, and medical treatment of physically disabled victims through road safety funds and health insurance schemes.

Through this draft policy, the government has proposed the establishment of a separate entity, the National Road Safety Council, to regulate, monitor, and evaluate road safety measures.

This council will have dedicated personnel and will include road safety units or focal points at the federal, provincial, and local levels.