To ensure a safe and secure environment in Sarpang and particularly Gelephu town, Gelephu Police has started patrolling the Gelephu–Tsirang Highway and Gelephu town. This is done in coordination with a team from the police headquarters’ Narcotics Drugs and Other Vices Division. Vehicles are checked for roadworthiness and document verification starting last week. Various measures to detect driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and eliminate accidents are being implemented.
All vehicles travelling along the Gelephu-Sarpang Highway are stopped for roadside checks. Vehicle documents and licences are checked and vehicles are thoroughly searched.
Breathalyser tests to detect drunk driving and drug tests to identify individuals driving under the influence of drugs are also being conducted. Sniffer dogs are also used to detect drugs in passenger buses.
People are welcoming the initiative. They say that increasing police presence and vehicle checks along the highway and the town make them feel safer.
“I think the highway checking is good because taxi drivers will be cautious about speeding hereafter,” said Sonam Penjor, a taxi driver.
“Around sixty traffic police are stationed at each intersection along the highway. They are doing that to encourage drivers’ compliance with the law. Stricter patrolling means safer communities, so it’s a good initiative,” said Mansing Rai, another taxi driver.
Drivers found positive for alcohol use are fined. Likewise, drivers and passengers who test positive for drug use are referred for counselling at the PEMA Centre in Gelephu.
Some of the common traffic violations found so far are rash driving, speeding, wrong overtakes, improper use of indicators, abrupt stopping on the highway and carrying excess passengers, especially by buses.
The initiative is taken mainly to raise awareness about road safety and the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is also to deter criminal activities such as drug trafficking and other illegal activities on the highways.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Kipchu
