The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has taken action against 663 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol since the start of the Dashain festival, intensifying vehicle checks across the valley during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. According to the traffic police, most of those penalized were first-time offenders, while a few drivers faced repeat action for the same violation. Alongside the penalties, the office has urged all motorists to follow traffic rules to avoid accidents during the festival season.
Intensified Checks During the Festival Season
Dashain, the biggest festival in Nepal, brings a sharp rise in vehicular movement as people travel to their hometowns, visit relatives and take part in celebrations. Roads in and around Kathmandu Valley become noticeably busier during these days, and the volume of traffic raises the risk of accidents, particularly when drivers take the wheel after drinking. For traffic police, the festival period is therefore both a peak season for travel and a heightened period of risk on the roads.
It is against this backdrop that the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office intensified its checking drive. Enforcement teams have been stopping drivers suspected of consuming alcohol and taking action against those found to be driving under the influence. Police have framed the campaign as an effort to curb drunk driving during the festival season, when crowded roads make violations more dangerous.
The scale of the drive is reflected in the figures released by the office: 663 drivers penalized since Dashain began. The enforcement details were reported by Arthasarokar and News of Nepal, both citing the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.
Key Figures at a Glance
- 663 drivers penalized for driving under the influence of alcohol since the start of Dashain
- Enforcement carried out by the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office
- Most offenders were first-time violators
- A small number of drivers faced repeat action
- Checks were intensified during the festival season to discourage drunk driving
First-Time Offenders Dominate the List
Of the 663 drivers penalized, the largest share were caught for the first time. For many, the action taken during the festival drive marks their first encounter with traffic enforcement over drunk driving, a violation police link directly to road safety.
The tally also includes a handful of repeat offenders, drivers who had already faced action and were penalized again within the same festive period. Their presence in the figures underlines the challenge authorities face in ensuring that penalties translate into lasting changes in driver behavior, even when checks are visible across the valley.
The intensified checks form part of the valley's wider traffic management effort during the festival, aimed at deterring violations before they lead to accidents. Police have paired the enforcement with public messaging, urging drivers to comply with the rules rather than risk action at checkpoints.
Why Drunk Driving Draws Tough Enforcement
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a punishable traffic offense, and police regard the violation as a serious threat to road safety. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction time, increasing the likelihood of accidents on busy roads, which is why enforcement agencies prioritize action against impaired drivers.
During Dashain, the stakes are higher simply because more people are on the move. Highways out of the valley and roads within it carry heavy loads of buses, motorcycles and private vehicles, and a single lapse behind the wheel can put many lives at risk. This is the reasoning behind the intensified checks that the traffic police have deployed throughout the festival period.
Police Urge Motorists to Follow the Rules
Enforcement, according to the traffic police, is only one side of the effort. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has appealed directly to drivers to follow traffic rules throughout the festival, stressing that compliance with the rules is the surest way to avoid accidents. The appeal extends to all road users navigating busier-than-usual streets during the celebrations. The combination of penalties and appeals reflects a dual approach: punishing violations while encouraging voluntary compliance among the many drivers on festive roads.
The office has particularly urged drivers not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. With festivities under way, the message from police is straightforward: follow the rules, stay alert and keep the festival season safe for everyone on the road. For those who ignore the warning, the action taken against 663 drivers since Dashain began shows that the consequences are immediate.
