The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) has recorded a total of 239 motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in the first two months of 2025. As of 27th February, the accidents have resulted in 158 injuries and 25 deaths.
February saw 107 MVA leading to 59 injured and 5 deaths. January recorded 132 MVA leading to 99 injured and 20 deaths.
As of February, Sarpang recorded the highest accidents with 18 cases, followed by Chukha with 14, Thimphu with 13, Samtse and Wangduephodrang with 11 each and Tsirang with 7.
In January, Thimphu recorded the highest accidents with 38 cases, followed by Sarpang and Punakha both with 16 each, Chukha with 12, Samtse with 11 numbers and Wangduephodrang with 10.
The leading cause of accidents in the first two months of 2025 was due to lack of control over the vehicle with 60 incidents reported. Drink driving was the second leading cause, contributing to 53 accidents.
February saw an increase in drink driving with 27 cases, while January recorded the highest number of accidents caused by lack of control with 39 cases.
Of the 132 accidents reported in January, 49 cases remain pending, 39 were withdrawn, 19 were compromised, and 2 were charge-sheeted.
The number of MVAs in Bhutan has been steadily increasing. In 2022, there were 780 accidents, which rose to 1,062 in 2023 and 1,118 in 2024.
2024 recorded 632 injured and 96 deaths. 32 cases have been charged sheeted, 417 compromised and 710 withdrawn.
Not having proper control over the vehicle was recorded as the highest cause of accidents with 265 cases, followed by drunk driving which was attributed to 225 cases, others with 181 cases, unlicensed driving with 88 cases and not keeping left with 84 cases.
Thimphu recorded the highest accidents with 300 cases, followed by Chukha with 121 cases, Wangduephodrang with 100 cases, Punakha with 98 cases and Samtse with 74 cases.
2023 recorded 636 injured people and 104 deaths. 35 cases were charge sheeted, 435 compromised and 899 withdrawn.
Not having proper control over the vehicle was recorded as the highest cause of accidents with 240 case, followed by drink driving with 195 case, others with 188 cases, over speeding with 109 cases and unlicensed driving with 91 cases.
Thimphu recorded the highest accidents with 205 cases, followed by Chukha with 161 cases, Wangduephodrang with 89 cases, Punakha with 83 cases and Paro with 73 cases.
2022 recorded 547 injured and 79 deaths. 37 cases were charge sheeted, 264 compromised and 678 withdrawn.
Others attributed to 141 cases, followed by not having proper control over the vehicle and drink driving with 128 case each, over speeding with 71 case, not keeping left with 68 case and unlicensed driving with 65 case.
Chukha recorded the highest accidents with 119 cases, followed by Paro with 90 cases, Wangduephodrang with 87 cases, Samtse with 72 cases and Thimphu with 58 cases.
Over the past three years and the first two months of 2025, the main causes of accidents have been drink driving and lack of control over the vehicle, followed by over speeding, unlicensed driving, and tailgating (driving too close to the car in front).
