Home Minister urges traffic police to maintain politeness in verbal treatment, act toughly against violation of traffic rules

KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has launched the ‘Traffic Awareness Special Campaign-2081’ beginning today. The campaign aims to develop a civilised road culture through the promotion of traffic awareness.

Inaugurating the Campaign today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, announced coming up with a special operation aimed at making public transport more reliable and safer. He said that amendments to policies, rules, and acts needed for promoting road safety will be carried out.

According to him, the Ministry is focused on improving public transport to make it widely accessible, reliable, and convenient.

Expressing his concerns over the negligence in compliance with traffic rules, he advised the traffic police to maintain politeness in verbal treatment but to act toughly against the violation of traffic rules.

The Home Minister warned that the government will be responding to the culture of traffic rule violation toughly and this will be to save lives. But before, switching to that policy, some time will be given for unlearning this culture by organizing an awareness program. He also took time to express his concern over what he argued growing politicization in each sector.

He said that the government is thinking about coming up with a provision for awarding those who will report to the traffic police cases of violation of traffic rules.

“The government is focused on promoting a technology-friendly traffic management system,” he added.

Seeking the report prepared by the road security task force in the past, he said the government is committed to improvements aiming to promote road safety.

Stating that there should be additional standards in the license issuing process, he said a road trial is necessary before granting a driving license.

“Any area reporting cases of accidents due to negligence on the part of traffic police, an in-charge in the given area will get fewer marks during an official evaluation and the career development procedures,” according to the Home Minister.

Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol said that this campaign is very significant, as the traffic awareness program makes everyone responsible. She emphasized on improving the behavior of the traffic police. Deputy Chief Dangol pointed out the need for citizens to use the roads responsibly.

Mentioning that some policy reforms are necessary, she said that it is necessary to make citizens aware.

Chief of Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Additional Inspector General of Police Deepak Thapa said that the work has started with special attention on traffic management and public transport management in the valley.

He stated that if CC cameras can be installed in the transport, it will be easier to stop abuse and informed that the matter has been discussed with the Sajha Yatayat.

President of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs Association, Bijay Bahadur Swanr, said that everyone should work together to reduce accidents. Stressing on increasing public awareness, he urged immediate implementation of the report of the Public Transport Improvement Task Force.

He expressed his belief that 80 percent of public transport will improve only if the report is implemented.

An expert on road safety, Bhagwati Sedhai, said that by raising awareness in the community, 20 percent of accidents will be reduced. He suggested recruiting traffic volunteers and said that citizens should also be sensitive. He also urged people to change their thinking that following the rules of the road is only for the police.

Chief of the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office (KVTPO), Deputy Inspector General of Police Poshraj Pokharel said the campaign has been launched with the objective of raising awareness of and making the general public and the organizations responsible in following the traffic rules.

Stating that humanitarian traffic management is a challenge, he said the traffic management of Kathmandu will be somewhat easier if the infrastructure could be improved, vehicles parking well-managed and corridors are opened.

A traffic awareness rally was held in Kathmandu prior to this.