Kathmandu, August 13 : The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has decided to strictly implement the provision of two drivers on the long route vehicles. The Department on Tuesday issued a notice to this regard, warning of an action in the violation of rule. It has sought the arrangement of two drivers on public vehicles traveling on a distance of 250 kilometers or exceeding it from the destination point.
According to the DoTM, the violation of provision has contributed to a rise in the case of road accidents as it leaves the driver in exhaustion. People concerned have been directed to follow the provision. There should be at least two drivers to handle the steering turn by turn in every six hours. Besides, the provision that requires a driver for taking a break every four hours driving on a medium route is to be enforced effectively. This provision has been incorporated in the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act -2049 BS (1993).
The weak enforcement of laws aim to strengthen the road safety has ended in many preventable deaths, the Traffic Police said. The DoTM has warned that if the rule was found to be violated, vehicle’s owner would be liable for action as well. It may be noted last Friday, a passenger bus en route to Kathmandu from Malangawa of Sarlahi had plunged into the Trishuli River at Benighat Rorang rural municipality-3 along the Prithvi Highway, killing 11 people.
Twenty people including a child had gone missing in the accident, which, as the police investigations suggest, had happened as the driver fell asleep amidst the travel
