KATHMANDU: At least 12 road accidents occurred on New Year’s eve, last night, apparently by drunken driving. The toll in Kathmandu reached 8 while Lalitpur recorded 4 cases, according to Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD).

“Nine accidents were minor and three were major, but no one died,” an MTPD official said. Similarly, number of vehicular accidents during the Christmas Eve (24th December) totaled 17. Of them 10 took place in Kathmandu alone, 4 in Lalitpur and 3 in Bhaktapur. All the motorists who met with mishaps were found to be boozed following a medical examination.

A majority of the road traffic

accidents on both occasions — New Year and Christmas Eves — was fueled by over-speeding.

Motorcycles far exceeded four wheelers recording at least 13 cases.

MTPD said, after an examination, they found many youngsters

were drunk excessively and were driving recklessly.

“After getting drunk, youngsters not only drive carelessly but they show off, displaying their heroic behavior to their friends,” he added. MTPD had fielded more traffic personnel to man the roads to avert rash driving. New Bus Park, Thamel, Jawalakhel, Singha Durbar, Satdobato, Kalimati, Chovar, Sukedhara, Thapathali, Gaushala and Koteshwor are identified as accident-prone areas in the Valley.