Kathmandu, April 26

Rashan Magar (27) of Budhanilkanta-7 fled the scene after his car (Ba 2 Cha 3818) knocked down a pedestrian in Lazimpat on April 13.

The victim, Raju Khadka (45) of Kathmandu-29, died while undergoing treatment.

It took police two days to identify and arrest the car driver who was involved in the hit-and-run-case. The roads in the Kathmandu Valley have become highly unsafe for pedestrians.

According to statistics maintained by the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, an average of 14 road accidents occur in the Valley every day and at least one of them account for a hit-and-run case.

Speeding and reckless driving pose a serious threat to road users, mostly motorcyclists and pedestrians. Speeding bikes, jaywalking and lack of adequate sidewalks in the Valley have made pedestrians more vulnerable to accidents.

Private cars, microbuses, taxis and motorcycles are behind most of the hit-and-run cases. Around seven to eight lakh vehicles ply the Valley roads every day. Traffic cops try to arrest the drivers involved in hit-and-run incidents as soon as possible, but sometimes in vain.

Traffic police said they were concerned about the effects of hit-and-run cases on the victims and their families who are sometimes forced to pay the medical bills when the guilty runs away.

Bearing in mind the hit-and-run cases, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division has established a special motorcycle unit with 17 bikes to enhance road safety.

“The 250 cc bikes are mobilised to chase and arrest suspects of hit-and-run cases,” said DIGP Prakash Aryal, MTPD in-charge, adding that traffic police would soon add eight more motorcycles to their existing fleet.