Police tighten traffic discipline in Gelephu
Gelephu—Motorists exceeding the speed limit or failing to fasten seatbelts in Gelephu and Sarpang are being pulled over by traffic police, fined, and reminded to comply with traffic regulations — not only to enforce driving discipline but also to ensure safety. From road safety awareness campaigns to digital monitoring, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) Gelephu Division has intensified efforts as part of broader initiatives to promote traffic discipline and ensure public safety in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The speed limits are set at 50 km per hour for light vehicles and two-wheelers, and 35 km per hour for medium and heavy vehicles, as outlined in the Road Safety and Transport Regulations 2021. However, the speed limit in built-up areas is 20 km per hour. As GMC envisions becoming a pioneering urban model, the police remain committed to enhancing traffic compliance and discipline by the end of this year, while also calling for public cooperation. This move, which started in August, according to the police, comes after several months of rigorous public advocacy. Awareness programmes have been carried out among taxi operators, public bus and truck drivers, including Indian truckers transporting boulders from Gelephu. The tightened enforcement, which initially resulted in an increase in road rule violation cases and netted fines amounting to over Nu 50,000 in a single day, is now recording only a few cases, according to the police. To ensure compliance with road safety norms, traffic police are being deployed at various locations along the Sarpang-Gelephu-Tareythang highway. Additional mobile observation points have also been set up along the highway. During their routine highway patrol, some vehicles were stopped and challans issued for traffic infringements, mostly speeding, at various locations where traffic police conducted inspections. “With enhanced monitoring, over-speeding cases are now in drastic decline. Speeds are mostly between 40 and 48 km per hour as shown by the speed gun. Many are now aware of the traffic compliance,” said a traffic police. While zero tolerance is enforced for offences such as speeding, reckless driving, drink-driving, unlicensed driving, and using mobile phones while driving, efforts continue to promote the mandatory use of seatbelts and pedestrian crossings. “Wearing a seatbelt is important to protect the driver in the event of a head-on collision,” said traffic police on duty. “Fines would also soon be imposed for failing to wear seatbelts.” The driver and front-seat passenger have to fasten their seatbelts before entering the police checkposts at Gakiling along the Tsirang-Sarpang highway and Serzhong Bridge along the Gelephu-Zhemgang highway, where police remind them to adhere to traffic rules and regulations. “The pedestrian crossings and wrong parking in the town areas are being monitored by CCTV cameras in addition to traffic monitoring,” said another traffic police. “We are closely monitoring while also advising pedestrians to use the zebra crossing.” Traffic also focuses on lane discipline, including following rules for overtaking, especially among heavy vehicles, using the correct lanes for slow and fast-moving vehicles, and signalling properly, although these instances are minimal. The roads and locations within the town are also being improved with road markings to enhance safety. The move is welcomed by motorists and pedestrians alike in support of creating a model urban area with good traffic discipline and a safe environment. Forty-six-year-old taxi operator Sonam Tshering believes stronger traffic discipline promotes responsible driving. “This will set an example for others who visit Gelephu. I have no record of traffic offences so far,” he said. “We appreciate the improvements, which will certainly bring positive behavioural changes in the long run,” he added. “Fines and other penalties for traffic violations will deter reckless behaviour.”
Courtesy: Kuensel 12 August, 2025
