Driver fatigue, lack of passenger records raise safety concerns after fatal Makwanpur accident

A fatal electric vehicle (EV) accident in Chisapani Gadhi along the Deurali road section of Bhimphedi Rural Municipality, Makwanpur, has raised serious questions about road safety, driver fatigue and the enforcement of transport regulations. The vehicle, bearing registration number Madhesh Province 03-001 Ja 0880, plunged approximately 500 metres off the road at around 5:45 am on Thursday, killing 14 people at the scene and injuring six others. According to Makwanpur Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari, the vehicle had returned to Kathmandu from Sarlahi on Wednesday and began picking up passengers for its return journey from around 2 am on Thursday.

Adhikari told Onlinekhabar that the driver appeared to have had insufficient rest and sleep before beginning the journey. “According to the injured passengers, the driver had been picking up passengers since 2 am. The vehicle had returned from Sarlahi on Wednesday.

It appears the driver had not had enough rest or sleep. Since he started boarding passengers at 2 am, he must have woken up around 1 am,” Adhikari said.