KATHMANDU: The government has proposed new and stricter safety standards for children traveling in small vehicles, aiming to reduce risks from road accidents.
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Sunil Lamsal announced the decision, introducing special safety provisions focused on child passengers.
Under the proposed rules, children below 10 years of age or shorter than 135 cm must be seated in the back seat of small vehicles. The provision also makes it mandatory for them to use child-specific safety seats.
The new measure effectively bans children from sitting in the front seat of small vehicles.
“Children seated in the front are at higher risk during accidents, which is why this measure has been introduced,” the minister’s secretariat said.
The government said the rule has been designed in line with international road safety standards and is expected to enhance child safety during travel.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Nepal has warned that drivers violating the rule will face legal action in accordance with existing laws.
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