Bagmati Province has witnessed a concerning rise in road accidents, with a total of 397 incidents reported across ten districts in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2081/82 (August to October 2024). 

According to the Nepal Police Highway Safety and Traffic Management Office in Chitwan, these accidents have resulted in 60 fatalities and left 1,030 people injured.

The police report indicates that poor road conditions, reckless driving, and violation of traffic rules have been major contributors to these accidents. In response to the increase in road incidents, traffic authorities have intensified efforts to monitor and penalize traffic rule violators. From mid-August to mid-October, a total of 35,085 drivers were fined for violations, resulting in a revenue collection of Rs 27.9 million. This revenue, collected from various traffic infractions, highlights the severity of rule violations within the province.

Monitoring and Enforcement
In an effort to control vehicle speeds and ensure road safety, the traffic police have installed CCTV cameras and radar guns along key points on the East-West highway. These monitoring devices are being used to capture images and videos of vehicles violating speed limits. Police officials have stated that this technological intervention is essential for maintaining discipline on highways, notorious for high accident rates. The presence of surveillance equipment has been credited with reducing speed-related incidents to some extent, though enforcement remains challenging.

Analysis of Accident Causes
The majority of the accidents, according to traffic authorities, are attributed to speeding, distracted driving, and a lack of adherence to road safety norms. Drunk driving and poor vehicle maintenance have also been identified as contributing factors. The hilly and winding terrains in some areas of Bagmati further compound the risk, making cautious driving a necessity.

In response to these alarming statistics, the Nepal Police Highway Safety and Traffic Management Office has launched awareness campaigns focusing on the importance of safe driving and adherence to traffic regulations. These campaigns are particularly active during festive periods when traffic volume and accident rates tend to spike. Furthermore, the office has called on drivers to avoid overloading, refrain from driving under the influence, and adhere to speed limits to mitigate the risk of accidents.