Killer roads

A passenger jeep met with an accident at Jakhauli in Hariharpur Gadhi Rural Municipality-2 of  Sindhuli on Jan 5. The accident resulted in the death of 20-year-old local resident, Kailash Rai, who succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Chure Hill Hospital in Hetauda. Two other injured passengers are currently receiving treatment.

In another incident, a scooter rider lost his life in a road accident in Sanothimi in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-2 of Bhaktapur on December 30. Nischal Prakash Rajbhandari (31) of Sanothimi died while undergoing treatment at Norvic Hospital. The accident occurred when Nischal’s scooter skidded while trying to avoid a stray dog on the road. His wife Puja Shrestha (28), who was riding pillion, is currently under treatment.

Two years ago, Madhu Nepal from Palpa suffered severe injuries at Shankar Nagar of Butwal when his motorcycle collided with a pickup van coming from the opposite direction. Nepal, who had just returned after spending 10 years in Korea, was airlifted to Medicity Hospital in Bhaisepati for treatment. Despite spending over Rs 2.8m on multiple surgeries for his head injury, his life has never been the same. “Nothing is like before,” Nepal said. “The impact of accidents is devastating.”

Rising accident rates have claimed lives of people from all age groups, from young children to the elderly. The trauma and pain inflicted on families of accident victims are devastating. Those who survive with serious injuries often face a lifetime of hardship. Many are forced to live with disabilities caused by these accidents.

According to Nepal Police, 1,030 people have lost their lives in road accidents across the country in the first four months of 2024/25. A total of 13,442 road accidents were recorded during the period, resulting in 2,620 serious injuries and approximately 13,000 minor injuries. On average, 63 vehicle accidents occur daily, with 88 people getting injured and 7-10 losing their lives.

Nepal recorded 35,404 road accidents in 2023/24, resulting in 2,369 deaths and 6,160 serious injuries. Similarly, in 2022/23, 29,379 road accidents resulted in 2,883 deaths and 7,282 serious injuries. A total of 6,282 people died in road accidents over the past 28 months, averaging 225 deaths per month.

According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office, an average of four deaths occur in the valley every day. In the first five months of 2024/25, the valley witnessed 2,045 vehicle accidents, resulting in 75 deaths, 100 serious injuries and 2,758 minor injuries. Among the deceased, the majority were above 36 years old (41 people), followed by those between 17-35 years (30 people) and under 16 years(four deaths).

DSP Dipak Giri from the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office told ApEx that most accidents occur during daylight hours. Two-wheelers are most frequently involved in accidents, followed by jeeps, cars, vans, buses, and microbuses, he added.

According to traffic police, overconfidence of drivers is an important factor behind rising numbers of road accidents. High speed, driving under influence, mechanical failures of motor vehicles, overtaking and negligence of pedestrians are the other reasons behind rising cases of road accidents. 

Between 200 to 300 people face penalties for drunk driving and speeding every day, police records show.

“Whether it is the families of those who died in accidents or those who were seriously injured, they face immense hardships. Accidents would naturally decrease if drivers remained vigilant while operating vehicles on the road,” DSP Giri said. “Pedestrians must also stay alert while walking on the roads. For those riding pillion on motorcycles or scooters, wearing helmets can reduce the impact even if an accident occurs.”

According to Nepal Police Spokesperson Bishwa Adhikari, the accident rates are rising in line with increasing vehicle imports and usage. “This trend is not unique to Nepal but is global, corresponding with increasing urbanization,” he said. “Nepal’s diverse geography presents unique challenges. Mountain roads are narrow and inherently risky, while Terai roads often run through settlements where high speeds lead to accidents.” Adhikari added that factors such as weather conditions, road construction quality and vehicle mechanical issues also contribute to accidents.

“There are numerous causes including drunk driving, speeding, and carelessness. The key factor in reducing accidents is the driver themselves,” Adhikari said. “If every person becomes a responsible driver, such incidents would decrease significantly.”