Kathmandu Traffic Police Launch Crackdown on Impaired Driving to Reduce Accidents

Kathmandu. To reduce the risk of road accidents in the Kathmandu Valley, the traffic police have launched a surveillance and enforcement campaign against drivers violating traffic rules.

Following the conclusion that driving under the influence of alcohol (MaPaSe) and drugs (LaPaSe), along with traffic rule violations, are the primary causes of recent accidents, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has initiated this special campaign.

In this campaign, the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Chief and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nawaraj Adhikari has been actively patrolling the streets with his team, while a team stationed in the 'control room' provides information on vehicles violating rules.

The traffic police have begun checks at various locations, targeting public transport drivers early in the morning and two-wheeler riders during the day and evening.

Currently, traffic police are deployed at major intersections, busy roads, and accident-prone areas to test drivers for alcohol or drug consumption.

Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Chief and SSP Nawaraj Adhikari stated that the campaign was launched with a priority on reducing road accidents and ensuring passenger safety. According to him, a single driver carries the responsibility of dozens of passengers in public transport, so a small act of negligence by the driver can lead to a major accident.

He said, "A driver is transporting dozens of passengers. If that driver operates the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, who will take responsibility if an accident occurs? Our main objective is to reduce road accidents. Therefore, we will take strict action against drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

The traffic police reported that under the special campaign, dozens of public transport drivers have already been penalized for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The office stated that the apprehended drivers are being fined according to traffic rules and further legal processes are being initiated.

Meanwhile, the traffic police are now preparing to recommend the cancellation of driving licenses to the relevant authorities for drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hit road dividers, or put passengers' lives at risk.

Traffic Police Chief and SSP Adhikari stated that it has become necessary to take strict measures as reducing accidents is impossible without controlling the trend of negligent driving.

Traffic Police Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police (SP) Naresh Raj Subedi informed that along with the campaign against alcohol and drug use, the traffic police have started tightening control over drivers violating traffic rules, and specifically, drivers failing to follow traffic lights are being monitored and penalized.

According to Traffic Police Chief Adhikari, such inspection campaigns will be continued in various parts of the valley in the coming days, and drivers will be urged to follow traffic rules, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, and ensure safe travel through awareness programs.

Under the special campaign of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police, 12 drivers were penalized during a surprise check conducted this morning for driving under the influence of alcohol (MaPaSe).

Traffic Police Spokesperson and SP Naresh Raj Subedi informed that 12 drivers were penalized during the checks conducted at various locations in the valley, including two public buses, one school bus, two public mini-trucks, one public Sumo, one public microbus, one public tempo, one tourist van, and three private cars.