Friday 26th April 2024
Road accidents in Nepal seem to be 10 times more likely to kill someone than the coronavirus infection.
Despite nationwide lockdown, Nepal has witnessed 1,754 road accidents in a span of two and a half months from March 24 to June 15.
According to the data released by the Nepali Police, 193 people have lost their lives and 480 were seriously injured due to road accidents.
| Period | No.of Accidents | Deaths |
| March 24 to April 12 | 192 | 28 |
| April 13 to May 13 | 639 | 52 |
| May 14 to June 14 | 923 | 113 |
| Total | 1,754 | 193 |
As per the data, Province 5 has witnessed the highest death toll during lockdown while Karnali Province has the least number of deaths by accidents.
| Province | Deaths |
| Province 1 | 35 |
| Province 2 | 35 |
| Bagmati | 20 |
| Gandaki | 12 |
| Province 5 | 49 |
| Karnali | 15 |
| Sudoorpaschim | 8 |
| Total | 193 |
Kathmandu valley alone witnessed 18 road fatalities despite stringent lockdown measures in the locality.
The Nepali Government has exclaimed that the accident number has not decreased despite the prohibition of vehicle or people movement during the lockdown.
The government has provided passes for movement during lockdown for most essential purposes. However, misuse of passes has turned to be so fatal as to lose nearly 200 lives in such a short period.
“Over speed, tipsy driving, violation of traffic rules, and the novices practicing driving lessons in the empty streets during lockdown are some of the major causes of such accidents,” said SSP Bhim Prasad Dhakal, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Chief.
In response, the Nepali Government has informed that the traffic and other security personnel, who were busy in COVID-19 control and prevention activities, would focus back on the roads to control vehicle movement.
