Road accidents in the Kathmandu Valley fell significantly during this year’s Dashain festival, with both crashes and fatalities declining compared with the same period last year.
A total of 105 road accidents were recorded during Dashain this year, down from 155 last year. Three people died in the crashes, compared with 10 during last year’s festival.
According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the number of accidents fell by 50, while fatalities declined by seven. Traffic police attributed the improvement to preparations and enhanced monitoring aimed at improving road safety during the festive period.
Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, said most accidents this year involved two-wheelers. Vehicles frequently went out of control because of excessive speed, he said.
Subedi said traffic police had improved road safety by working according to a planned strategy and making preparations in advance. Coordinated efforts by transport operators, transport workers and other stakeholders had also helped people travel more safely, he said.
“Roads have become safer because traffic police worked in a planned manner after making the necessary preparations. The coordinated efforts of transport operators, transport workers and all other stakeholders have enabled people to travel safely,” Subedi said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Suresh Prasad Kafle, chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, said prompt rescue operations and effective medical treatment following accidents had helped save injured people’s lives.
According to Kafle, traffic police and the Nepal Police had prioritised road safety by conducting regular security checks, monitoring traffic and carrying out joint inspections.
Traffic police had introduced a special security plan for the festive period, when road traffic typically increases and reckless driving and excessive speed raise the risk of accidents. Checks at various locations, surveillance and the deployment of police personnel helped reduce crashes, the office said.
The decline in accidents and fatalities during this year’s Dashain is encouraging. However, the continued involvement of two-wheelers in crashes and the risks posed by speeding underline the need for greater vigilance on the roads.
Traffic police have urged drivers to control their speed, obey traffic rules and drive safely.