Road crashes in Nepal have come to be recognized as one of the most serious public health and development challenges of our time. Every day, families in Nepal are being devastated by preventable road crashes, but unfortunately, this issue remains an under-prioritized concern. According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 by the World Health Organization, there were 8,479 road traffic fatalities in Nepal in 2021. On the other hand, government figures reveal a mere 2,833 road fatalities in Nepal in 2021. This reveals a shocking gap between government figures and reality, which reflects a lack of efficient data collection mechanisms. The truth remains that Nepal’s roads are some of the deadliest in South Asia, and if things are left unchecked, the situation will continue to deteriorate. A sad reality is that those who leave home in the morning, either walking, driving, or cycling to school, offices, or for long-distance travel, may never return home as a result of a road accident.
The daily statistics tell a sad story. According to Nepal Police records, the country experiences at least 75 crashes every day, with an average of seven fatalities per day. Motorcycles contribute to almost 70% of the crashes, highlighting the vulnerability of motorcyclists who dominate the Nepalese road scene. According to Nepal Police records for FY 2081/82, road crashes claimed 2,549 lives in total, with an average of seven fatalities every day. This scenario has also been put forward in Parliament by Honorable Member of Parliament Ashish Gajurel on 7th April. National Transport Policy, 2083 also highlights that around 7 people lose their valuable lives daily in road accidents. These figures do not simply represent numbers; they represent fathers, mothers, children, and loved ones whose lives are senselessly cut short and whose families and loved ones are left to grieve their loss. The loss of life in road crashes has become a leading premature killer in the country. The economic burden of road crashes in Nepal is substantial. Likewise, as per the Asian Transport Observatory (ATO), fatalities and serious injuries cost an estimated 3 billion USD in 2021, equivalent to roughly 7% of Nepal’s GDP.
The Cause
The factors behind the alarming road safety situation in Nepal are diverse. Excessive speeding and reckless driving are the primary causes of road crashes. Young motorcyclists are often found to drive recklessly, disregarding road safety regulations. In addition, the poor infrastructure of roads in Nepal adds to the problem. The roads are narrow and in poor condition, and there is a lack of signposts and streetlights. Furthermore, the lack of enforcement of road safety regulations has also contributed to the problem. Insufficient road safety knowledge among pedestrians and school children has also contributed to a rising death toll among Vulnerable Road Users. Also, although regulations are in place, their enforcement is poor.
In addition, there is a lack of emergency response for crash victims. This has often resulted in delayed treatment for crash victims, leading to poor health outcomes. Another important problem in the road safety situation in Nepal is the lack of information. There has been a significant disparity in the statistics provided by the WHO and the government. This indicates that there are no proper monitoring mechanisms in place. In the absence of proper statistics, it has been difficult to effectively deal with the problem. In this case, the problem has also not been effectively communicated to the public.
The human impact of road crashes does not stop at death. There are those who survive but are left disabled for life. This puts a huge burden on society. Looking at the economic impact, billions are lost in terms of production loss, considering that road crashes affect people within the most productive age groups. This has a ripple effect: children are left as orphans, people are plunged into poverty, and society loses valuable members.
Globally, there are signs that road safety can be improved. Between 2013 and 2023, 108 countries witnessed a decline in road crashes. This was a result of enhanced enforcement, infrastructure, and public awareness. In contrast, Nepal witnessed a 71% to 77% increase in road crashes. This shows a need for reform. This needs to be addressed immediately, considering that the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 has been set.
Way Forward
Road safety is a crisis, a health issue, an economic problem, and a moral issue, and this is why this crisis cannot be allowed to go on, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives, and this is why there is a need to prioritize this crisis, and this is why there is a need to act now, before more families are left to mourn on the nation’s roads.
Traffic crashes on the roadways of Nepal can only be effectively addressed by the implementation of multiple strategies. One of the best approaches will include education, engineering, enforcement, encouragement, and emergency response. The sustainable solution would be integrating road safety principles into the school-level curriculum, allowing children to acquire proper skills for moving on the roads safely. The creation of awareness campaigns via various media channels and the involvement of public sector institutions could also play an important role in developing a responsible approach towards road safety. Similarly, investing in inclusive infrastructure is vital, and this is achievable by providing safer roads, crossings, and motorcycle lanes, which will help to reduce crashes. Protection of Vulnerable Road Users should also be provided through safe crossing spots and sidewalks to ensure their protection. Furthermore, encouraging the development of Non-Motorized Transport infrastructure and promoting it could help to avoid traffic incidents involving low-speed users.
Road safety audits of road infrastructure should be conducted by qualified and certified auditors. The government should introduce and pass comprehensive legislation through Parliament to ensure the continuous improvement of road infrastructure, reduce road traffic fatalities, and strengthen post-crash emergency response systems. In addition, trauma centers should be established at regular intervals along National Highways and in every provincial city. Mandatory rest areas for heavily loaded vehicles, along with public toilets at designated intervals, should also be developed to improve road safety, driver welfare, and the overall efficiency of the transportation network.
Investing in road safety can bring substantial economic returns too. According to the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), allocating about 134 million USD each year (roughly 0.4% of Nepal’s GDP) could help save approximately 3,000 lives annually. In addition, effective traffic law enforcement would be an important step in preventing violations, and this includes speed regulations, rules concerning drunk driving, helmet use, and seatbelt usage. Lastly, there is a need to improve emergency response systems to provide trauma care to crash victims.
Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which deals with good health and well-being, aims to ensure healthy lives and improve the well-being of individuals of all ages. Specifically, Target 3.6 addresses the issue of road safety as an important public health issue that strives to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries caused by traffic accidents by half. The National Planning Commission of Nepal is the body responsible for SDG implementation and monitoring. While the organization is taking several steps to reduce the number of road traffic deaths and injuries, much needs to be done.
Enhancing the institutional capacity of the National Road Safety Council, while ensuring the strict implementation of the Road Safety Action Plan and the Safe System Approach, can play a vital role in promoting road safety audit programs. These measures will support evidence-based planning, design, and implementation of disaster-resilient road infrastructure, ultimately contributing to safer and more sustainable transport systems.
Nepal’s road safety crisis is a silent epidemic, and silence is no longer an option, however. Every life lost is a reminder that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Bold and concerted efforts must be made to change the roads from death traps to roads of progress. The choice is clear: to continue on a path of neglect and rising casualties or to embrace a future where roads are safe, lives are protected, and people prosper.
Er. Acharya is a civil/transportation engineer working on transportation policy, planning, and road safety.
Er. Lekhak is a civil/environmental engineer wo
