A new campaign was launched with the aim of ending the unorganized and unsafe operation of city safaris (e-rickshaws) in Biratnagar for years. Under the ‘Safe Driver’ campaign launched by the District Traffic Police Office, Morang, with passenger safety at the center, city safari drivers operating in Biratnagar will now be seen on the roads with trained, certified and clearly identified by the traffic police.

The campaign aims to simultaneously solve the problems of unlicensed drivers, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, overspeeding, indiscriminate parking, unorganized operation and illegal operation of safaris by Indian citizens. The biggest challenge in regulation was the lack of official data on how many city safaris are operating in Biratnagar and how many of them have driving licenses. To remove this confusion, the traffic police has started a systematic registration process for licensed drivers.

For the first time in Nepal, the traffic police has made arrangements to record the details of safari drivers through a computer system. After the registration is completed, each driver is given a separate registration number. Which is clearly visible on the back of a special jacket with the words ‘Safe Driver’ written on it. Passengers do not have to search for the driver’s name, address or safari number. Morang Traffic Police Chief Inspector Santosh Neupane said that arrangements have been made to easily file any complaints, issues or grievances based on the registration number visible on the jacket.

After the registration process is complete, the traffic police will provide special training to the driver. Only after completing the training, the driver will receive a jacket with the words ‘Safe Driver’ written on it. According to Inspector Neupane, this jacket is not only the driver’s attire but also a symbol of responsibility and discipline. He says that ‘Safe Drivers’ trained and certified by the traffic police are considered at least 80 percent safer than other ordinary drivers.