Bengaluru: The number of cases booked for rash and negligent driving, wrong-side driving and related offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has seen a sharp rise in the city, increasing by 82 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to data accessed by Deccan Herald, Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) registered 6,872 such cases in 2025, up from 3,774 cases in 2024, indicating a significant jump in enforcement and preventive action on city roads.

Traffic police officials have attributed this steep increase not to a sudden deterioration in driving behaviour alone, but largely to intensified enforcement, targeted drives and the use of legal provisions under the new criminal law framework to deter dangerous practices on roads.

Increased enforcement under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

Senior traffic police officials said the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has enabled them to take stronger action against motorists who obstruct traffic flow or endanger public safety. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy explained that Section 285 of the BNS empowers the police to book criminal cases against those who obstruct traffic, including motorists who drive in the wrong direction.

“Under Section 285 of the BNS, we can book cases against those who obstruct the flow of traffic. In many cases, people drive in the wrong direction and such instances are also considered obstruction,” Reddy said. He clarified, however, that not all violations automatically result in criminal cases.

“Only when such acts cause heavy traffic pile-up or seriously disrupt movement do we file a case. In other instances, a challan is issued and a fine is collected,” he added.

Focus on rash and negligent driving

Apart from wrong-side driving, the traffic police have also intensified action against rash and negligent driving that may not immediately result in injuries but poses a serious risk to road users. Officials said such behaviour often leads to accidents, congestion and panic among pedestrians and other motorists.

“Cases are filed against drivers who drive rashly and negligently even if there is no bodily damage. Such acts can endanger lives and also create traffic problems,” a senior traffic police official said.

Police said these cases are meant to serve as a deterrent and create accountability among motorists, particularly repeat offenders who often treat traffic fines as a minor inconvenience.

Crackdown on footpath violations

Another area where enforcement has been stepped up is footpath parking and driving, a persistent problem across the city. Traffic police said special drives are conducted to identify motorists who encroach upon pedestrian spaces.

While smaller two-wheelers that briefly park or move on footpaths are generally issued challans, stricter action is taken against those who occupy large portions of the footpath or drive recklessly, endangering pedestrians.

“Those encroaching more of the footpath space and driving rashly are booked under criminal sections, as they pose a serious threat to pedestrian safety,” an official explained.

Pedestrian rights groups have welcomed this approach, stating that footpaths in many parts of the city have become virtually unusable due to illegal parking and reckless riding.

Accident statistics show mixed trends

The data accessed by Deccan Herald also provides insights into road safety trends in the city. In 2025, Bengaluru recorded 896 fatal accidents, marking a 3 per cent decrease compared to 2024. However, non-fatal accidents rose to 4,228, reflecting a 4 per cent increase over the previous year.

Traffic police officials said the reduction in fatal accidents indicates that preventive measures and enforcement may be having a positive impact on saving lives, even as the overall number of accidents remains a concern.

“The fact that fatal accidents have come down shows that enforcement and awareness are helping. But non-fatal accidents continue to be an issue, especially in high-density traffic zones,” an officer said.

Expansion of traffic police jurisdiction

Karthik Reddy attributed the rise in non-fatal accidents partly to the expansion of the Bengaluru Traffic Police’s jurisdiction. In August 2025, three new traffic police stations were added, increasing the BTP’s jurisdiction by nearly 15 per cent.

“As our jurisdiction increased, the number of reported accidents also went up marginally. This is a natural outcome when a larger area comes under monitoring,” Reddy said.

He emphasised that despite the expanded jurisdiction, the police have managed to keep accident numbers largely under control through sustained enforcement and preventive strategies.

Preventive measures and technology use

Traffic police officials said enforcement is being complemented by preventive measures such as public awareness campaigns, junction redesigns and increased deployment of personnel during peak hours. Technology-driven monitoring, including CCTV surveillance and automated violation detection, has also played a role in identifying offenders.

Officials noted that data analytics is being used to identify accident-prone stretches and repeat violators, enabling targeted action rather than blanket enforcement.

Conclusion

The 82 per cent rise in cases booked for rash and negligent driving in Bengaluru in 2025 reflects a more assertive approach by traffic police to improve road discipline and safety. While the increase may appear alarming at first glance, officials insist it signals stronger enforcement rather than worsening behaviour alone. With fatal accidents showing a decline and preventive measures being expanded alongside enforcement, the police hope that sustained action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will lead to safer roads and more responsible driving habits in the city.