According to Road Safety and Transport Authority’s (RSTA), at least 22 vehicles were imported in the country every day in the fiscal year 2016-2017.

Between July 2016 and June 2017, a total of 8,045 vehicles were imported in the country, up by 781 vehicles from 7,264 in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Until June 2017, Bhutan had 88,227 registered vehicles in the country.

RSTA recorded the highest percentage increase in new motor vehicle registration in the past five years in the country.

The growth was 9.7 percent, an increase from 6.90 percent in the fiscal year 2015-2016.

RSTA also saw a growth of 6 percent in revenue generation. The authority made Nu 397 million (M) this year, which is an increase from Nu 374M in the fiscal year 2015-2016. Among the five regional offices, the highest revenue was collected from Thimphu with Nu 188 M. However, this is a decrease from Nu 191M in the fiscal year 2015-2016.

Phuntsholing saw maximum increase in contribution to the total revenue with Nu 91M. Nu 59M was collected from Gelephu and Nu 30M from Samdrupjongkhar.

Report showed that at least two cases of motor vehicle crashes were reported every day in the country in the fiscal year 2016-2017.

Between 2016 and June 2017, 371 motor vehicle accidents occurred.

RSTA’ annual report said that intervention and initiatives should be improved to address road crashes and fatalities arising due to crashes. “Further to enhance the enforcement for improved road safety and reduce motor vehicle crashes specifically through over speeding and drink driving, the authority procured 55 alcohol breathe analysers, 24 alcohol quick test breathe analyzers and 24 speed radar guns.”

Phurpa Lhamo

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