Driver negligence main cause of road accidents in Koshi: Police

ITAHARI: Driver negligence has been identified as the leading cause of road accidents in Koshi Province.

According to the traffic police, a total of 581 accidents were recorded across 14 districts of the province in the month of Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December). These accidents resulted in 32 deaths and 979 injuries.

Of the 862 motor vehicles involved in these accidents, 465, or 80% of total accidents, were caused by driver negligence, the Itahari-based Highway Safety and Traffic Management Office of Nepal Police said. Speeding alone accounted for 247 accidents, or 42.5% of the total accidents.

Accidents were also caused by driver incompetence, violation of traffic rules, drink-driving, improper overtaking, and falling asleep at the wheel.

According to the traffic police, 8,338 vehicles were penalized during the month. Traffic police collected Rs 8.44 million in revenue from these offenders.

In cases related to drink-driving, 453 vehicles were fined Rs 237,500.

Spokesperson for the office, DSP Santosh Shrestha, said traffic police have intensified vehicle checks and awareness campaigns to reduce road accidents. He added that 1,393 awareness programs were conducted during the month with participation from more than 24,000 people.