Traffic police in Kapilvastu took action against 18,872 drivers for violating traffic rules in the fiscal year 2024/25, according to officials from the District Traffic Police Office in Gorusinghe.

The traffic office collected a total of Rs14.17 million in fines from the violators, said Inspector Pankaj Chudali, the office chief.

Truck and tipper drivers topped the list, with 5,592 vehicles booked, contributing Rs6.9 million in fines.

Similarly, 4,131 motorcyclists were fined, generating Rs3.59 million. Action was also taken against 2,790 drivers operating cars and jeeps, which added Rs2.4 million to the revenue.

Other drivers penalised included 560 bus drivers (Rs605,005 in fines), 366 tractor drivers (Rs366,000), and 433 other vehicle users (Rs385,500).

Despite frequent awareness campaigns throughout the year, traffic rule violations and accidents continue to rise, said Inspector Chudali.

He noted that growing vehicle numbers without proportional road expansion has contributed to the increase in accidents.

Common infractions include driving without a licence, allowing unauthorised persons—such as assistants—to drive, and reckless driving on poorly maintained roads.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohanmani Adhikari, spokesperson for the district police, said that rules enforcement remains challenging due to poor infrastructure and limited resources.

According to police records, a total of 2,070 traffic awareness programmes were conducted during the year, reaching out over 78,882 drivers, passengers and local residents.

Yet road accidents still remained a major headache. In the last fiscal year alone, 689 accidents were reported in the district, resulting in the deaths of 85 people and injuries to 1,144, said Superintendent of Police Niranjan Dutta Bhatt.

In comparison, the previous year (2024/25) saw 711 accidents, with 83 fatalities and 1,150 injuries.

Speeding, overloading, and drink-driving were identified as the primary causes of the accidents.

SP Bhatt said that stronger enforcement, public awareness, and improved road and vehicle conditions are essential to bring down the number of fatalities and injuries.