A Crisis Ignored

Road accidents occur almost every day across Nepal. This is not just a matter of bad luck or reckless driving, say transport entrepreneurs. The government, they claim, has failed to act on previous reports and recommendations. Reports on the Simaltal bus accident and the Transport Reform Recommendation Task Force, for instance, have highlighted key issues and suggested remedies, but none have been implemented. As a result, the number of accidents is rising, along with human, social and economic losses. Although the government has promised new laws and policies to address road safety, most of these commitments have remained unfulfilled. The long-promised Road Safety Act, for example, has been pending for years, and recent political changes have only slowed progress further. In the absence of action, the same problems continue to recur on the roads. The situation is not only due to a lack of laws, but also delays and indifference on the part of the authorities. Moreover, Nepal’s terrain—marked by steep hills and narrow roads—combined with landslides and unpredictable weather, demands a higher level of caution.