BUTWAL: A total of 402 road accidents occurred across all 12 districts of Lumbini Province during the month of Chaitra, resulting in 36 deaths and 745 injuries, according to the Provincial Police Office.
Provincial Police Chief Dan Bahadur Karki said the number of fatalities in Chaitra decreased slightly compared to Falgun, when 39 people lost their lives in road mishaps.
Rupandehi and Dang recorded the highest number of fatalities with 10 deaths each. Meanwhile, Palpa, Rolpa, and Eastern Rukum reported no deaths during the same period.
Banke saw seven fatalities, while three people each died in Kapilvastu, Bardiya, Nawalparasi West, and Arghakhanchi. Two people died in Pyuthan, and one in Gulmi.
Motorcycles were involved in the majority of accidents, accounting for around 60 percent of the total. Bicycles contributed to 8.01 percent of accidents, followed by cars and jeeps (8.71%), tempos (7.49%), tractors (4.70%), buses (4.36%), tippers (1.92%), microbuses (1.22%), and trucks and tankers (2.61%).
Chief Karki pointed to poor road conditions and driver negligence as major causes. “Many roads have not been upgraded, and potholes are common throughout the province,” he said, adding that these factors significantly contribute to the high number of accidents.
Authorities say efforts are underway to raise public awareness and enforce stricter traffic regulations to help reduce accidents in the region.
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