Are Young Drivers Responsible for Recurring Road Accidents?

Our country is seeing a number of road accidents recently. Hundreds of passengers have died in the accidents occurred all over the country. Many others have been bed-ridden in hospitals fighting for life. A hot debate on road accidents is going among intellectuals and stakeholders are also feeling a moral pressure for addressing the unfortunate accidents.

Here, I am going to discuss who are the prime culprits/responsible factors for these fatal road accidents. 


First and foremost, irresponsible drivers are the main culprit for accidents. In most of the cases, the driver is seen as the causing factor. Drinking and driving is largely controlled inside the Kathmandu valley due to MaPaSe Check Campaign, but it still prevails in rural parts of the country. Young and novice drivers can be found driving recklessly, and jokingly. A public vehicle driver needs to be tested before s/he is allowed to drive public vehicles. In case of pilot, this testing mechanism is effectively applied to ensure the secure functioning of planes.

Moreover, proper and scientific training is needed for drivers to aid them for secure and effective driving of public vehicles. Traffic Police gives traffic classes for drivers only after they violate traffic rules. I suggest the traffic police to train drivers before they start to drive public vehicles.

Irregular and corrupted Driving License distribution system is another prime factor for the recurring accidents. It is still so easy to get a driving license outside the Kathmandu valley by bribing the license officer. In Kathmandu, some strict rules have been lately applied to ensure efficient license distribution system. On another part, 'Syndicate' system in transportation is a huge disadvantage for passengers. Bus operators or Saahu easily compromise the passenger security for their benefits and profits. It is also obvious that ruined state of roads is also contributing largely for the road accidents.

Are youth drivers are responsible for the recent road accidents? Unfortunately, I must say yes. Young men's body produces a hormone called Testosterone; which stimulates the young male drivers to drive fast and recklessly. Irresponsibility to own life makes them drive absent-mindedly resulting in a fatal accident. Over-speeding is a vital feature of young drivers, which is ultimately a prime factor for accident.

On saying that, the recent proposition to increase the age-bar to get driving license from 16 to 23 is pretty questionable. Regulating young drivers is one thing, but restricting every young people to get a license is largely unjustifiable. Let's take an example; an 18-year orphan may have obligation to sell milk for his family's living. A motorcycle is essential for him to do his work. The government cannot prevent him on doing his business. Another proposition, a driver must pass at least SLC, is also in doubt due to its impractical assumptions.

On the other hand, senior journalist and publisher Kanak Mani Dixit wrote in an article – "News covering death of at least 10 people is front-page news even in international media, whereas our Nepali media are pushing such serious news to inside pages. Follow-up reporting is also less." His opinion clearly indicate our national media's perspective towards the recurring accidents. They are just putting their efforts to the Constitution-making. Mainstream media needs to give larger space for discourse on accidents and formulate ideas to minimize them. 

(Published on "Topics" in The Himalaya Times on 2 February 2015)