DHADING: The number of accidents along the Tribhuvan and Prithvi Highways in Dhading district is still challenging to reduce, traffic police in the district commented.

Excessive loads on trucks, use of old vehicles, ill-managed and un-maintained roads as well as drivers' negligence have led to the increase in the accidents.

According to traffic police, driving under the influence of alcohol, lack of traffic signals along the roads and distracting hoarding boards on the roadside have also contributed to increase of road accidents significantly.

Though the number has comparatively decreased than that of last year, they have not been able to minimise it as intended, police added.

At some points, people have started encroaching the road area and settling in the roadside. Their huts and the water spouts they installed have also become few of the many reasons why the accidents occur, they added.

With the intention to decrease driving under influence (DUI) cases, police have been organising various awareness programmes in Dhading.

However, the results were not satisfactory, police maintained.