Reckless driving and drink-driving is a big problem as the authorities have not set a standard driving limit which makes it difficult to control the same. Hit-and-run has become common but our security personnel especially the traffic police do not do anything against such drivers and this has become a major problem for commoners.

To check such incidents, first of all the government must create awareness about such issues. They should set a speed limit on various roads. Traffic police should also become active and take action quickly against those who are involved in it. If all the above mentioned do not work, then the government should make the provision of severe punishment to those who breaks the rules.

— Sushobhit Pokharel

There are various reasons for traffic accidents like driver’s over-confidence, mismanaged traffic system, unskilled drivers and so on. In a country where impunity has dominated all aspects and systems and where money can buy everything, it is not astonishing to realise the fact that unskilled drivers are also given licence by the concerned authorities when a little bribe is offered to them. Many private vehicle owners drive without a licence. In the name of adventure or fun, some overlook the calamity their act might possibly cause. Both the government and citizens bear equal responsibility to lessen unfavourable accidents for the common welfare and both must show a unified effort. Since formulation of related laws alone cannot determine people’s interest and activities, such laws and policies must be ensured effectively for every culprit regardless of their background. The government must introduce laws regarding driving licence and trials, and only the owner, on whose name the vehicle is registered, should be allowed to drive the vehicle. The government must also proceed towards road re-construction and balanced management of traffic. We, as citizens, must support the government by showing integrity and participating in the formulation and execution of those neutral policies in our behaviour.

— Sabina Dhakal, Maitidevi

People often take violation of traffic rules as a light offence and assume that they can easily get away unscathed or bribe their way out. It is not just the drivers but also the pedestrians who are to blame for such violations. People follow traffic rules not for their own safety but because of the fear of being caught by traffic police. The authorities are equally careless and corrupt. In order to check vehicular accidents, even minor traffic offences should have severe action. They should understand the importance of other’s presence on the road.

— Rhea Gurung,

Maharajgunj

Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is one of the major causes of death in the world. Pedestrians, drivers and traffic police are all responsible for the cause of mishaps on the roads. Pedestrians usually don’t use zebra crossings, overhead bridges, subways to cross the roads nor wait for vehicles at bus-stops. Bus staff also pick and drop passengers from anywhere regardless of the traffic. A driver always ignores the right of the pedestrian and vice-versa. Young and novice drivers drive recklessly, even those riding motorbikes ride on footpaths and try to overtake when there is a small space.

If traffic rules are strictly implemented, the chance of accidents will obviously reduce. There should be compulsory penalty for violation of traffic rules like - driving without licence, overtaking from wrong direction, high speed driving and using mobiles while driving. Only awareness for public is not effective, but suitable punishment for the culprits is also a must if they ignore the rules. Hence, if traffic rules are followed by all, RTA can be controlled to a large extent.

— Hareram Pradhan, Satdobato

‘(So many) killed in road mishaps’ is common news in the papers. The recent findings of various surveys show reckless driving, drink-driving and bad roads as the major causes of road accidents and mishaps. Equally responsible is our law. Drivers prefer to kill the victims once they hit them as according to the law they have to pay only Rs 20,000 if they kill them. But if they are badly injured, the drivers or vehicle owners have to pay for their full medical expenses. To discourage such killings, laws have to be enforced that if drivers kill someone knowingly or intentionally, they should be sentenced to life imprisonment. Punishments should also be introduced to stop such killings.

— Cool Cristofer,

Lake Side

Drink-driving is the prime cause of road accidents. So the first step to be taken in order to minimise accidents is enforcing law that prohibits drink-driving. Those involved in drink-driving should get their driving licence seized. As punishment, they should not be allowed to drive any kind of vehicles for a certain period. At the same time traffic rules and regulations should be implemented strictly and everyone including the drivers, authorities and passengers should follow them honestly. Malpractices while issuing the driving licence are also one of the causes of road accidents. Accidents thus are not problems related only with individual, they are national problems too. A regulatory body should be able to deal with this problem actively and have guts to punish all those breaching the enforced rule impartially. But accidents caused by negligence are crimes rather than mere accidents. In such cases it is important to punish the culprits.

— Ambika Pandey,

Chitwan

Major road accidents and deaths that take place are due to reckless driving. Teenagers become wild while driving and they are try to overtake other vehicles. Likewise, local buses compete with each other and this also leads to road accidents and deaths. Drink-driving also leads to such accidents and killings. Bike modification is also one of the causes.

There should be changes and improvement in the traffic rules. Helmet is meant for our protection, but boys do not put their helmets on properly. This has become a fashion and the traffic police should arrest such people. People should not be allowed to modify their bikes. Sidelights should be used so that the other vehicle knows which way you are heading. It is we who should know limitations while drinking. We should be conscious about following traffic rules. If we follow traffic rules, then we can minimise road accidents and deaths.

— Sachita Karki

Most roads in the Valley are narrow and rough. Safety of all roads users should be considered while planning road construction. Excess and inappropriate speed is the other main factor. Setting and enforcing speed limits could be an effective measure in lowering accidents. In the Valley, most of the-two wheelers are seen carrying more than two people or carrying goods, which also leads to accidents. Teenagers also use the roads in risky manner both as pedestrians

and as riders. Parental

guidance and support may play a pivotal role in minimising road accidents. Making safe choices like wearing helmets while riding a motorbike, cycle and using safety belts may also lessen the casualties. Preparation of national road strategy and implementation of that is the ultimate need of the day.

— Rajan KC, Kupondole

Carelessness is the major cause of road accidents be it of the drivers, pedestrians or authorities concerned. People are not bothered about their responsibilities. Crossing the roads randomly places, drinking and driving and poorly maintained roads are some common examples of carelessness that lead to accidents. Everyone should be careful and take their responsibilities seriously in order to avoid road accidents. Drivers should be alert and control their speed. Pedestrians should make proper use of overhead bridges and zebra crossings. Traffic cops should be strict with the rule-breakers. In short, all citizens should be careful and should not take rules and regulations for granted.

— Sadichchha Pokharel, Kupondole

Accidents often take place due to the people’s rashness and many even lose their lives. Drink-driving has been one of

the major causes of accidents. The culprit needs to be penalised in such a way that others become more cautious, which eventually will control such reckless behaviour.

— Pranit Sharma

I think the major cause of road accidents and deaths is the environment of impunity in which money speaks the loudest. When there is impunity, the driving man drives in whatever way s/he he likes. Drivers may drive carelessly without following traffic rule and space of road. They even think the authorities are under their control and can buy then using money. Such an environment has encouraged people to behave recklessly leading to serious road accidents.

— Mohan Narshingh Shrestha, Kupondole

Road accidents are taking place mainly because of weak traffic management and the reckless youngsters behind the wheels. The pedestrians also do not use the zebra crossings nor are drivers conscious about such crossing. In other countries if a person is about to use a zebra crossing, vehicles stop to let the person(s)cross the road. Despite having driving licences, drivers seem unaware about these traffic rules. Even the traffic police seem unwilling to control these behaviours. So, I think traffic should be a little bit stricter.

— Shreya Rai

Road accidents have begun to be published and broadcast as ‘breaking news’ on TV and newspapers daily. Surprisingly this trend is increasing everyday. To lessen the frequency of accidents, roads must be built as per the international standards and proper maintenance must be timely sought. Every vehicle must be properly maintained and overhauled. It is important to check whether the drivers and the pedestrians are following the traffic rules. Moreover, there must be a ban on liquors and, to check if driver is drunk or not, traffic police must check at every check-post. Passengers

exceeding the capacity of bus should not be allowed. We still are in dearth of sturdy law in favour of victims. The culprits must not be set free at any cost. If we follow simple preventive measures, it will help lower fatal accidents.

— Mallicka Shrestha, Vanasthali, Kathmandu

It’s unfortunate that in the case of Nepal authorities themselves are the cause of vehicular accidents. Traffic police should control drink-driving, careless driving but they are failing to do that. Traffic cops take bribe and let drivers who break traffic rules go free. Drivers who are not able to drive properly also get licence from ‘licence phat’ after giving a certain amount in bribes. We can find many drivers driving with duplicate licence. The government also even does not feel it necessary to punish so-called upper caste people, high post government staff, theirs sons and daughters when they break traffic rules. Bribes and corruption are so much in practice among traffic authorities that traffic rules and regulations have become ineffective.

— DB Florance