If you often ignore crosswalks and take your chances in the middle of traffic, watch out! Beginning May 15, the Metropolitan Traffic Police is coming up with a new rule to penalise people caught jaywalking. Taking the zebra crossings and overhead bridges might not be quick—but it sure is a lot more safe, advise traffic police.

Lokendra Malla, the spokesperson for the MTPD, said the new rule would complement the ‘No horn’ drive which was enforced in the Valley last week by the division in association along with Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). The MTPD believes the rule will bring down the rate accidents in the Valley streets, apart form relieving minimising the sound pollution in the capital city.

“We have started a public awareness campaign and the new rule will be strictly enforced from next month,” said Malla, adding that those caught flouting the traffic rules will be  slapped with a fine, ranging from Rs200 to Rs1,000 as per the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act-1993. Those who do not pay ‘on-the-spot’ fine will have to spend a night in custody, traffic police warned.

According to the MTPD data, 40 percent of the accidents are caused due to haphazard road crossings, which also prompt the drivers to blow their horns. 

Meanwhile, the traffic police have booked 200 people over four days since the ‘No horn’ rule came into force on Friday. Those caught jaywalking have been fined Rs200, according to the MTPD.

While traffic was relatively lighter on the first two days of the drive due to New Year’s holiday and Saturday, the MTPD claimed to have achieved a positive result. “Earlier, there used to be up to 20 accidents a day in the Valley, but it has been come down to seven since ‘No horn’ drive kicked into action,” Malla said.

According to traffic police, the majority of those caught violating ‘No horn’ rule were motorcyclists, micro bus and taxi drivers.

The MTPD has mobilised 400 personnel, including those in plain clothes, in each of the three shift to check on traffic rule violations.