124 Drink-Driving Accidents in Baisakh Claim 12 Lives

Kathmandu. A total of 124 road accidents occurred across the country in the month of Baisakh due to drink-driving, resulting in 12 fatalities and 174 injuries.

According to Central Police Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Abinarayan Kafle, the Kathmandu Valley recorded 37 accidents with 2 deaths and 50 injured. Koshi Province witnessed 35 accidents claiming 2 lives, while Madhesh Province reported 20 accidents leaving 27 people injured.

Similarly, Bagmati Province saw 12 accidents with 1 death and 19 injured, Gandaki recorded 5 accidents with 4 deaths and 3 injured, Lumbini reported 9 accidents with 3 deaths and 15 injured, Karnali witnessed 3 accidents with 3 injured, and Sudurpashchim Province recorded 3 accidents leaving 4 people injured.

Spokesperson Kafle stated that driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious legal offence and an extremely risky act for human life, urging all drivers to comply with traffic regulations. Police findings suggest that such incidents tend to increase during nighttime, public holidays, and festivals.

Traffic police have intensified the drink-driving control campaign nationwide. According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office Chief and Senior Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Adhikari, checks have been tightened in urban areas, highways, and busy intersections, alongside ongoing public awareness programmes. Police have urged drivers to exercise greater caution, noting that alcohol consumption impairs judgment, makes vehicle control difficult, and increases the tendency to speed, thereby significantly raising the risk of accidents.