With around 70,000 vehicles, Thimphu has the most crowded streets in the country. With a huge number of vehicles come traffic congestion and accidents. Thimphu recorded more than 200 traffic offences last year alone. Residents say there is a need for stricter implementation of rules, as they have to deal with the consequences of non-compliant drivers.
Despite the efforts of the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority and traffic police to ensure accident-free roads, there are continued challenges residents face as a result of drivers who fail to follow traffic rules.
“Those who are literate know the traffic rules, but being the capital, all sorts of people come to Thimphu. We have stringent rules but people fail to comply with them,” said Tshewang Dorji, a resident.
“In general, some taxi drivers understand the rules and some don’t understand such as the usage of indicators and when to stop in zebra crossings. Even though people know the rules, they seem to be ignorant. If everyone in general did not ignore and follow the rules, I think accidents and traffic problems would not occur,” said Tenzin, another resident.
“When people do not follow the traffic rules, it leads to accidents. Drivers are not using the indicators properly in U-turns and roundabouts and this leads to accidents,” said Sherab Tharchen, also a resident.
Out of over 200 traffic offences last year in Thimphu, 92 were major offences according to police. They include 14 unlicensed driving, 60 drink-driving, 14 speeding cases, and 4 unsafe overtaking incidents.
Residents say this calls for improved licensing procedures, tighter drink-driving laws, and stricter enforcement of speed limits.
“When we say enforcement, in the year 2023 alone, Thimphu Traffic Division has suspended 183 driving licences and we have cancelled around 88 driving licences in Thimphu alone. We must all keep in mind that we all own a car but not the road, so our request is to please obey the traffic rules,” said Chencho Gyeltshen, Officiating SP of Thimphu Traffic Division.
Despite the efforts of the regulators, people say there is still a lot to do so that everybody on the road is safe.
Tsheyang Tshogyal
Edited by Kipchu
