Nepal police arrests 715 people over drunk driving during festival

Nepal traffic police arrested 715 people over drunk driving in the past five-day period of Dashain, the greatest festival in the country, Ministry of Home Affairs said on Thursday. The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division had launched anti- drunk campaign last year, which was intensified during the festival period. The campaign has helped to reduce the numbers of fatal road accidents in Nepal. "We arrested 715 people on the charge of driving the vehicle after consuming alcohol," Home Ministry said in a press statement. Anti-drunk driving campaign is being effectively implemented in the streets of Kathmandu valley. Every evening, traffic police are deployed in the streets. Licenses would be suspended if drivers were caught out driving after consuming alcohol. Sales of liquor such as whiskey, vodka, rum and gin have gone down tremendously in Kathmandu due to the campaign. Traders said the sales have plunged by more than 60 percent. Similarly, business of restaurants have been affected. Some restaurants are now providing transportation facilities to boost business.