On average, Thimphu records two to three motor vehicle accidents every day. As per the report maintained with the Thimphu Traffic Division, of the 978 vehicle accidents reported in the country since January this year, more than 300 occurred within Thimphu.
Of the total registered Motor Vehicle Accident cases in the town, the highest accident reported is due to drink-driving with 75 followed by speeding. Last year as well, drink driving was the main cause of the accident in Thimphu with more than hundred cases registered.
“In the core town area, accidents happen because of drink-driving. People tend to drink during rainy or cold weathers. The accidents happen mostly on Fridays and Saturdays because of more number of people drinking and driving,” Lieutenant-colonel Namgay, the Superintendent of Police, Traffic Division, said.
The increase in the number of vehicles, traffic law violations and bad road and weather conditions are other reasons for road accidents.
“People drive carefully when they see traffic police. But the moment they know that they are not under any surveillance, they drive recklessly, under the influence of alcohol or over speed,” Lieutenant-colonel Namgay added.
He said against the increasing road crashes in the city, the Thimphu Traffic Division plans to carry out strict enforcement of traffic laws, improve road conditions through coordination with relevant stakeholders and organize advocacy programs.
As of December last year, there are more than 100,000 vehicles in the country and half of it is registered in Thimphu region.
Pema Seldon Tshering
