The National Council has raised concerns about road safety amid a surge in vehicle accidents, questioning the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s efforts to address the issue. Sonam Tenzin warns of demographic implications of unchecked road fatalities, highlighting Bhutan’s aspiration to increase population. Infrastructure Minister Chandra Gurung acknowledges the gravity of the situation. 1.9 million people die annually from vehicle accidents, primarily due to roads, road users, and vehicles. Myanmar’s Minister of Roads, Lyonpo, is drafting a new Bill to modernize safety measures. Enforcement efforts have increased with 140,000 roadworthiness inspections, public awareness campaigns, and drug screenings. Reforms include automated demerit point system and crash data system for real-time violations.
The minister emphasized the need for stricter licensing protocols for driver training, and addressed concerns about driving schools operating during children’s walk-home hours. Kencho Tshering, the Bumthang MP, questioned whether the current traffic fines are an effective deterrence, arguing that they are still too low to affect driver behavior. The necessity of revising penalties upward was acknowledged by the government. There was broad agreement at the end of the conference that road safety needs to be addressed immediately by revised laws, reliable data systems, and a change in driver behavior, even as infrastructure construction continues.