Report on road accident causes and measures

                        MEMORANDUM

To      : The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Road and
          Transport, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu
From    : Chairman, Road Accident Investigation Commission
Date    : 15 January 2027
Subject : Report on the causes of road accidents on
          highways and measures to control them

Introduction

The rapid increase in road accidents on the highways is a matter of great concern. According to police records, more than 2,000 people lose their lives on Nepal's roads every year, and several thousand are injured. The commission was formed to investigate the reasons for this and to suggest ways to reduce accidents. It studied data from the last five years, visited the black spots on four highways, and consulted drivers, passengers, the traffic police and doctors.

Causes

1. Human error (about 70 percent): overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, drunk or tired driving, using mobile phones while driving, lack of proper training and disregard for traffic rules.
2. Vehicle conditions: old and poorly maintained vehicles, defective brakes and tyres, overloading, and weak fitness inspection.
3. Road conditions: narrow roads, sharp bends and steep slopes, potholes, and a lack of road signs, barriers and lights. Landslides and bad weather add to the risk.
4. Weak enforcement: too few traffic police, corruption in licensing, and low penalties.
5. Poor emergency care: delays in rescue and a lack of trauma centres along the highways.

Measures

1. Strictly enforce speed limits using speed cameras and radar, and use breath tests to catch and punish drunk drivers.
2. Make the licence test fair and strict, with proper driver training, and renew licences only after a safety refresher course.
3. Introduce regular vehicle fitness tests and remove very old vehicles from the roads.
4. Improve road design at black spots by widening the road and adding crash barriers, signs, reflectors and lights.
5. Fix limits on driving hours for long-route drivers and provide rest stops.
6. Build trauma centres, keep ambulances at regular intervals along the highways, and train drivers in first aid.
7. Run public awareness programmes through schools and the media, and make the use of helmets and seat belts compulsory.
8. Form a Highway Safety Authority to coordinate the Department of Roads, the Department of Transport Management and the Police, and to monitor results.

Conclusion

Road accidents are largely preventable. If the above measures are carried out together, the commission believes that deaths on the highways can be halved within five years. We request the Ministry to approve these recommendations and to provide the necessary budget.