KATHMANDU, July 18: The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) has been launching a campaign to reduce overspeed, citing an increase in accidents caused by it.
MTPD has set the speed limit at 50km/hr. This speed limit rule took effect from June 11, 2019.
MTPD has been taking action against those drivers who drive at a speed that goes beyond 50km/hr since June 11, 2019.
Traffic police use a laser speed gun to check whether the vehicles have run at a speed that exceeds the limit.
In Kathmandu valley, a total of 1835 accidents that took place over the last eight fiscal years have been attributed to over speeds.
In fiscal year
MTPD takes action against 57 cabs and private cars
2011/12: 511,
2012/13: 471,
2013/14: 154,
2014/15: 81,
2015/16: 48,
2016/17: 41,
2017/18: 71 and
2018/19: 485.
According to Hari Om Khadka, Traffic Police Inspector, the average number of vehicles that exceed the speed limit on a daily basis ranges between 70 to 75.
According to him, the two-wheelers that overtake other vehicles are the main cause of accidents.
Inspector Khadka adds that most of the accidents occur during office hours (9/10 am to 5/6pm).
Poor road conditions, reckless driving, overspeeds, and drunk-driving are the major reasons for road accidents. “From 2011 to 2019, a total of 1342 people lost their lives in road accidents”, said Metropolitan Traffic Office’s Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police, Ravi Kumar Poudel.
A legal action will be taken against the unruly drivers in accordance with the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 2049 (1993) section 164 (6). They will be liable to fines of up to Rs 500.
Earlier, the MTPD had started the system at major intersections along the Ring Road such as Satdobato, Sanepa, Koteshwor, and Kalanki which are considered as the most accident-prone areas in the Kathmandu Valley.
