We all love to travel, don't we? We certainly do. Whether it's exploring new places or embarking on long drives, Nepal never ceases to amaze me. Its winding hill roads, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking landscapes make an experience that feels almost magical. Beyond its natural beauty, Nepal's rich history and cultural heritage make it even more special. We feel incredibly grateful to live in a country where every journey has a new reason to appreciate and celebrate its remarkable beauty. However, the joy of travelling is often marred by poor road infrastructure, inadequate traffic management and unsafe driving practices. What should otherwise be a pleasant journey can quickly turn into a chaotic and frightening experience, where reaching one's destination safely and making it back home is never guaranteed. Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) are increasing day by day at an alarming rate, claiming several innocent lives and countless others with permanent disabilities facing serious physical, psychological, and financial hardships. According to Nepal Traffic Police statistics, road accidents claim an average of seven lives every day, amounting to approximately 2,600 deaths annually. Meanwhile, the number of accidents ranges from 10,000 to 12,000 each year. Particularly concerning is the vulnerability of two-wheeler users, with motorcycles and scooters reportedly accounting for nearly 70% of road crashes. These data highlight the urgent need to address road safety as a critical public concern. Road traffic crashes are often the result of combination of multiple factors, such as poor traffic management, weak enforcement of traffic laws, and inadequate road infrastructure. Furthermore, the irresponsible behaviour of many road users who disregard basic traffic regulations. For instance, despite being illegal and posing a serious threat to public safety, drunk driving remains a common practice and continues to put countless lives at risk. . Unfortunately, these issues do not receive adequate attention until a tragic incident occurs, highlighting the urgent need to prioritise public awareness, strengthen law enforcement, promote responsible road user behaviour and invest in safer and reliable transportation infrastructure. In many parts of the country, roads remain damaged, dusty, uneven, or incomplete, making travel challenging and unsafe. The situation is often worse during the monsoon season, when muddy surfaces, potholes, inadequate drainage systems and landslides and floods further increase the risk of accidents and traffic disruptions. People have become so used to poorly maintained roads that finding a smooth, well-paved road often feels like an unexpected luxury rather than a basic public necessity. Even in Kathmandu, the nation's capital, deteriorating road conditions in many areas continue to cause inconvenience and hardship for residents, commuters and travelers. Investing in well-planned urban infrastructure could significantly improve both the livability and appeal of our cities. The cities across the Kathmandu Valley are relatively compact, making many everyday destinations accessible by walking or cycling. With proper cycling infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly footpaths, and tree-lined shaded walkways, more people could be encouraged to choose walking and cycling for their daily travel within the valley. Such changes would not only make cities greener and more attractive but also help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. In addition, a pedestrian and cyclist friendly urban environment could foster new opportunities for economic activities benefiting everyone from small local businesses to large enterprises. Investing in people friendly urban environment would be an important step towards building cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable and vibrant cities. Additionally, the government must take greater responsibility for promoting safer, reliable and better-managed public transportation systems. Unfortunately, Public vehicle operators often prioritize profit over passenger safety and comfort. As a result, they carry as many passengers as possible, whether it means people sitting on top of the vehicle or hanging from the back of vehicles. Such dangerous practice puts passengers' lives at serious risk and should not be treated as normal. Overloading is not the only concern. Condition of the vehicles, reckless overtaking, speeding, and negligent driving are equally concerning contributors to road crashes. Many drivers disregard traffic rules, drive carelessly at high speeds, and take unnecessary risks while overtaking other vehicles. Such irresponsible behavior puts the lives of not only passengers, but also pedestrians, cyclists and other road users every single day. If public transportation were safe, efficient, and dependable, more people might choose it over private vehicles, helping to ease traffic congestion and reduce pressure on already crowed roads. Achieving this goal is entirely possible. With proper planning, dedicated public transport lanes, separate lanes for two wheelers, effective traffic management, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and sustained governmental commitment, Nepal can make meaningful progress towards a safer and more efficient transportation system. Ultimately, public transport should be a reliable service that protects lives, not a business in which passenger safety becomes secondary to profit. Road safety should never be treated as a secondary concern. Every road accident represents more than damaged vehicles, it can mean lost lives, shattered families, broken dreams, and suffering that lasts a lifetime. A safer and more reliable transportation system would not only enhance public safety but also allow people to enjoy and fully appreciate the beauty of travelling across Nepal without constant fear or the uncertainty of reaching their destinations safely. And let's be honest, travelling along smooth, well-maintained, tree-lined roads, breathing fresh air, and enjoying the surroundings without excessive noise or pollution would make every journey far more pleasant. It would make travelling more enjoyable, encourage more people to explore their own country, and allow them to appreciate the beauty around them. After all, a journey should be about enjoying the road, discovering new places, and making memories, not constantly worrying about reaching home safely. Kritika Lohani is Kathmandu University High School grade 11 and Rishika Lohani is at grade 5 students