BENGALURU: The city is witnessing an alarming trend with a rise in the number of fatal accidents. Bengaluru being a fast-growing city, the number of vehicles on the roads too have increased manifold. A survey by the traffic police has revealed that highest number of deaths were reported due to rash driving and overspeeding resulting in hundreds of deaths, with over 200 casualties in the first three months of this year itself.
Total number of accident fatalities from 2017 to 2023:
- 2017 – 609
- 2018 – 661
- 2019 – 766
- 2020 – 622
- 2021- 618
- 2022 -777
- 2023 so far – more than 200
Special Police Commissioner (Traffic) M A Salim said over 200 fatal accidents were recorded in just three months this year while there were 1,051 non-fatal accidents. A total of 1,197 accidents cases were reported in Bengaluru in which 205 people died. Most of the accidents cases involve two-wheelers and pillion riders while 49 of the victims were pedestrians.
“When we observed the accident reports closely, we found that most cases occurred on the outskirts of the city such a Yelahanka, Kamakshipalya, Kengeri and Peenya. Comparing to the previous year, the number of cases have remained the same so far”, he added.
“We are making all efforts to prevent accidents and taking necessary measures. The number of deaths, accidents during Covid was more. Most the accidents occur during night because there will no traffic congestion and people tend to overspeed. Also, two-wheeler riders do not wear helmets on the outskirts of the city and sometimes they won’t be of ISI standards. Fancy, unbranded helmets offer no protection”, Salim cautioned.