Dhading, May 9:

Road mishaps at different sections of the Prithvi Highway in the district have claimed 45 lives in the past nine months, the Highway Traffic Police Office, Gajuri, said.

A total of 114 road accidents occurred in which 45 persons were killed on the spot and 75 were critically injured until April 15. Four persons have been maimed and 120 others have sustained minor injuries. During the period 2,768 drivers were punished for violating traffic rules and Rs 329,585 was collected as revenue, police said.