𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐘 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

…𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔

By Tashi Tshewang

The Y and T Junctions in the capital have witnessed a concerning surge in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) over the past two years. In 2023, six accidents were reported, resulting in two injuries and no fatalities. However, the situation worsened in 2024, with the number of accidents doubling to 12, leading to eight injuries-six males and two females-though no deaths were recorded.

This growing trend has raised alarms among local authorities and residents, who are calling for better safety measures to prevent further incidents. The situation highlights the urgent need for improved traffic management, better road signage, and enhanced driver awareness to ensure public safety.

Y and T junctions, being key intersections in urban traffic systems, are crucial to road safety. However, they have become major bottlenecks, especially during rush hours. With the increasing number of vehicles on the road, these junctions are contributing to delays and confusion, making them dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.

Phub Tshering, a city bus driver, shared his insights on the challenges drivers face at Y and T junctions. He said, “We are truly grateful to the traffic authorities for their continuous efforts in creating rules to ensure order and safety on our roads. As a driver, it is crucial to understand and follow these rules to avoid confusion and accidents.”

However, Phub pointed out that many drivers are unaware of the right of way at these junctions, which leads to misunderstandings and near-miss situations. “At busy junctions like Jungshina and Hejo, the lack of proper signage and road markings makes it difficult for drivers to navigate safely,” he explained.

He added, “We start driving at 6:30 a.m., and during the early hours, we don’t face many problems. But during office hours, confusion about the right of way leads to near-misses. The absence of clear road markings and signboards leaves drivers unsure of how to proceed, and during peak hours, the situation becomes even more chaotic.”
Phub believes clearer road infrastructure and updated guidelines could prevent many accidents. “Drivers rely on mutual understanding, but that’s not reliable in high-traffic zones.”

Driving instructor Ugyen Yoezer emphasized the importance of safety at Y and T junctions for ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and preventing accidents. He said, “These junctions are designed to improve safety and make driving more efficient, but they can only serve that purpose if drivers follow the correct rules.”

Ugyen highlighted that many drivers fail to use T-junctions and Y-intersections correctly, which can create confusion and increase the risk of accidents. “When people are familiar with the right-of-way rules and respect traffic signals, the flow of traffic becomes much smoother, and the roads are safer for everyone,” he explained.

He added, “It’s crucial for drivers to understand that the rules are not just arbitrary—they are there for their own protection and the safety of others. One of the most important aspects of this is making sure that drivers understand the significance of traffic signs, signals, and road markings.”

Tshering Dorji, a daily commuter, shared his experience of being involved in an accident at the Taba Y junction. He said, “We all need to be more communicative when it comes to accidents at Y junctions, as there are no clear rules or rights known to many.”

He recounted his accident, stating, “That’s exactly how I ended up in an accident at a Y junction while rushing to my house. Unfortunately, it was considered my fault because I couldn’t clearly explain what really happened.”
Tshering stressed the importance of improving road infrastructure and raising awareness about traffic rules to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Tenzin Legshey Zangmo, a student in India, made a comparison between the roads in India and Bhutan. “In India, highways are often designed with straight stretches, especially in the plains or on newly developed expressways. It makes driving easier and faster in those areas,” she explained.

However, she noted, “In Bhutan, the roads are quite different. Most of them are winding and narrow, especially in the mountains. The terrain really affects how they are built. In places like Thimphu, you have Y-junctions and T-junctions, which are common at intersections, but they can be tricky to navigate, especially when visibility is low.”
Tenzin believes Bhutan could benefit from upgrades similar to those seen in India, such as all-weather roads that can handle the unique challenges of the landscape.

Dechen Dorji, a frequent biker from Thimphu, expressed his concerns about the difficulties bikers face at Y and T junctions. “One of the biggest challenges I face is navigating these junctions, as there are no proper road markings or signboards,” Dechen shared.

He explained, “Sometimes, new license holders are unaware of the correct distance to maintain and get too close at Y-junctions. It gets really confusing, especially during rush hours. You don’t know who has the right of way, and that’s when accidents happen.”

Dechen emphasized that bikers often rely on mutual understanding with other drivers. “We just look at each other and try to figure out who should go first. But in an emergency, it’s tough to wait, and that’s when things can go wrong.”
He believes better infrastructure and awareness would significantly improve safety for bikers. “If we had clear signboards and proper rules for Y and T junctions, things would be much safer. Right now, it feels like we are all just guessing.”

Pema Dorji, an instructor at Karma Driving Training Institute, shared his thoughts on the challenges of teaching the rules at Y and T junctions. “I have faced numerous challenges while driving, especially at T-junctions and Y-intersections,” Pema said. “Drivers are supposed to signal their intentions when approaching these junctions, but many don’t. They just move ahead without giving any indication of whether they are turning or going straight. This lack of signaling causes confusion among other drivers, which increases the risk of accidents.”

Pema pointed out that not all drivers are familiar with traffic rules, which can lead to mistakes, especially at high-traffic junctions. “Some drivers are new, while others might simply overlook the importance of obeying these rules consistently,” he explained.

Chador Gyeltshen, a health worker at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, shared his perspective on the consequences of road accidents in Thimphu. He said, “As a doctor, I have seen the consequences of road accidents in Thimphu far too often, and trust me, it’s heartbreaking.”

Chador pointed out that the city’s narrow, winding roads with sharp turns make it difficult for drivers to see oncoming traffic, especially in bad weather. “When it rains, during foggy weather, or at night, the risk multiplies,” he explained.
He suggested, “We need more visible signs, proper lane markings, and designated pedestrian crossings. Roundabouts at certain junctions would be a game changer- they slow traffic down and force drivers to stay alert.”

To address these ongoing issues at Y and T junctions, experts advocate for updating and replacing signboards at key locations to provide clearer, more visible guidance for road users. Improving road infrastructure would help ensure that drivers, especially new license holders, are better informed about traffic rules and the appropriate distances to maintain.

Strict enforcement of traffic regulations, along with public awareness campaigns, is essential to promoting safer driving. “New guidelines and consistent education will help strengthen road safety measures and encourage responsible driving behavior,” said one expert. These combined efforts are vital to improving traffic management and ensuring the safety of all road users.