Traffic management still manual
More than 2 million vehicles in the Kathmandu Valley are still being managed mostly with hand signals and whistles, according to SSP Suresh Prasad Kafle of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.
He said traffic police do not have enough resources or clear legal authority to handle the growing volume of vehicles effectively. The system is stretched.
Safety concerns remain high
Kafle said traffic police focus on enforcing road rules and issuing fines, not raising revenue. Nepal faces a serious road safety problem, with an average of seven deaths and more than 50 serious injuries or disabilities every day in road accidents.
He identified overspeeding, lane violations, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as major causes of crashes. Around 5-7% of road accidents are linked to zebra crossings.
Kafle added that 19 traffic police personnel have lost their lives in the Kathmandu Valley over the past year. He called for stronger long-term policy, better resources and clearer powers for traffic police.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Editorial policy.
