Valley
Jaywalkers to be fined from May 30
With an aim to discourage jaywalking, traffic rules for pedestrians are going to be implemented in Kathmandu Valley from May 30, according to traffic police.With an aim to discourage jaywalking, traffic rules for pedestrians are going to be implemented in Kathmandu Valley from May 30, according to traffic police.
The rules were scheduled to be enforced from May 15, but due to the local elections and faded zebra crossings, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division had postponed the decision. Around 900 traffic police were deployed for election in the three Valley districts.
“The Department of Roads has not painted the faded zebra crossings. So we’ll be pasting flex prints at places where the zebra crossings have faded,” said MTPD chief Mingmar Lama.
Paint on more than half of zebra crossings has faded so the marks are hardly visible. Apart for this, more than 90 percent of traffic lights installed at various junctions in the Valley are defunct.
According to the MTPD, over 1,500 traffic police have been mobilised for public awareness. The department has also been coordinating with 1,275 schools and colleges in disseminating messages.
Those caught flouting traffic rules will be slapped fines ranging from Rs200 to Rs1,000, according to the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act-1993.
Those who do not pay the amount “on-the-spot” will have to stay one night at the traffic station.
“We are going to adopt zero tolerance this time. If anyone is seen walking on the
road, they will also be fined,” said Lama.
Although the people of Kathmandu have welcomed the move, they are complaining about narrow footpaths and mismanaged roads and lack of, or faded, zebra crossings.