Karnataka witnesses 16 per cent dip in accident cases

BENGALURU: The number of deaths due to accidents in the state has decreased by a considerable 16 per cent after strict measures were taken by the traffic police against reckless driving and speeding.

According to a report, the traffic police department’s constant drive to check speed limits, wearing helmets and seat belts, and strict implementation of traffic rules have led to a reduction in the number of deaths in road accidents.

The Road Safety Authority had implemented several reforms to reduce vehicle accidents. A total of 3,122 people died in accidents from May to July 2023, while 2,682 people died in the same period in the current year.

On an average, 29 people die in accidents every day. Last year, an average of 34 people died in road accidents every day.

In Bengaluru, 412 people died in road accidents from May to July last year, while this year, 192 people died in the same period. This means that the daily death toll has decreased from four to two per day this year.

The major reasons for accidents on national and state highways are speeding, traffic violations, poor road infrastructure and reckless driving.

The measures taken by the traffic police to control accidents include fixing speed limits, continuous checks for drunk driving, special operations against those not wearing helmets and seat belts, and rectification of road defects in black spots.

The number of people who died in road accidents in different parts of the state is as follows: Bengaluru-192, Bengaluru Rural-169, Tumakuru-169, Belagavi-138, Mandya-116, Hassan-99, Shivamogga-99, Vijayapura-77 and Davangere-66.