Check Road Fatalities

Road accidents have become so frequent in Nepal that we hear news of fatal accidents almost every day. In the latest tragedy, 19 passengers died and 25 were injured when a passenger bus fell off the Prithvi Highway in Dhading on Monday morning. Earlier, on February 10, a total of 12 passengers died in a similar accident in Manthali of Ramechhap. As per the government data, over 1,200 people have lost their lives in road accidents across the country in the first six months of the current fiscal year. These data reveal that the country experiences an average of 75 road accidents every day, resulting in the loss of seven lives, and reflecting the scale of tragedy that occurs on a routine basis. Every week, dozens of families are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones, while hundreds suffer lasting injuries. 

One of the major reasons for road accidents is overspeeding. Drinking and driving, distraction while driving, sheer recklessness and lack of respect for traffic rules are some of the major factors leading to frequent road accidents. In addition, our roads are not designed with safety gears, and many of them are built without proper surveys, especially on hilly routes, where the roads are full of curves and bends, and there are no safety barriers. In the case of Bagmati Province, poor road conditions and callous behaviours of the drivers are blamed for most of the fatal road accidents. While the country’s geography with mountains and valleys possesses challenges of its own, the roads in the foothills of the Himalayas are always accident-prone. 

Such tragic reports generate temporary attention from the government and authorities and the public; action tends to be fleeting. Although task forces and inquiry committees are formed after each major tragedy, studies are commissioned, and recommendations are drafted, implementation of the reports are always weak. As a result, the reports become nothing more than documents gathering dust. Only a systematic approach to safety can break this cycle.  In order to actually reduce road accidents in the country, a number of measures have to be put into place.

First and foremost, the enforcement of road laws has to be strict. Speed limits, no drunk driving, wearing helmets and seat belts, and safety measures for commercial vehicles should be strictly implemented. Next, investment into road engineering is equally paramount. Guardrails, signposts, rumble strips, wider shoulders, and proper drainage systems help minimise the fatal accidents. Roads should be upgraded in time based on the risk assessment. Thirdly, drivers and operators must be trained and held accountable from time to time. The licensing of drivers must focus on defensive driving and awareness of potential accidents, especially for drivers of heavy vehicles, including night buses, long-route buses and trucks. 

There should be a mechanism to check maintenance and certification to prevent accidents caused by mechanical failure. Such sections of the road should be upgraded based on risk assessment. Lastly, education and awareness about road safety are essential for drivers, the public and the community. As road safety is not only the responsibility of the government and other agencies, the public must be aware of the importance of adhering to road rules and regulations to avoid accidents. Nepal’s roads will never be without risk, given its geography. However, with sustained commitment to enforcement, good maintenance, education and accountability, the toll of road accidents can be reduced.