Risky Zebra Crossing (Photos)

Kathmandu: For pedestrians, either an overhead bridge is provided, or long white stripes are marked on the road itself to cross the road, known as zebra crossings. Zebra crossings are meant to facilitate safe road-crossing for pedestrians.

According to traffic rules, all vehicles must give priority to pedestrians crossing the road at zebra crossings. Vehicles are required to stop before the beginning of the zebra crossing lines. Notices warning of fines for violating traffic rules are also posted in various places. Additionally, traffic police are deployed on the roads to enforce these rules.

Zebra crossings are meant for pedestrians, but many vehicle drivers ignore this fact. Even when vehicles and motorcycles are stopped right on the zebra crossing, traffic police are often seen simply watching without taking action. Some public vehicle drivers are even seen stopping their buses directly on the zebra crossing to pick up passengers.

Pedestrians say they now feel scared to cross the road even at zebra crossings. ‘Pedestrians should be able to cross confidently at zebra crossings, but even when we signal with our hands, drivers don’t stop. The drivers are irresponsible, and the traffic police just stand by and watch,’ said a pedestrian who was trying to cross the road at the zebra crossing in Maitighar. In his experience, motorcycles and public vehicles are the main violators of zebra crossing rules.

Section 132 of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2049 (amended 2075) states where and how a vehicle must stop. It mandates that vehicles must stop when pedestrians are crossing at zebra crossings or when traffic lights at intersections signal them to do so. However, in practice, zebra crossings are rarely empty. It’s a rare sight to see a vehicle stop to allow pedestrians to cross.

(Glimpses of vehicles violating the traffic rules relate to zebra crossing)

(Photo Chourtesy: Nepal Photo Library)

Nepali version of the photo story