The Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, a vital route connecting two major cities in Karnataka, has increasingly become a hotspot for traffic violations, posing significant risks to commuters. In a recent and alarming incident, a tourist bus was caught on camera recklessly driving in the wrong direction, further highlighting the dangerous driving behaviours plaguing the expressway.

The incident came to light when a video of the private bus, identified as VRS Travels, went viral on social media. The footage shows the bus speeding in the opposite direction on the busy expressway, occupying an entire lane and endangering the lives of other road users. The expressway is known for being accident-prone, making such violations even more concerning.

Karnataka’s Additional Director General of Police (Traffic and Safety), Alok Kumar, condemned the reckless driving, describing it as “atrocious and so dangerous.” In an X post, he assured the public that the Mandya Police were making serious efforts to trace the bus, despite the number plate being obscured in the video. “Such violations having a serious bearing on the safety of road users won’t be condoned,” Kumar stated.

The video sparked outrage among social media users, with many calling for strict legal action against the driver. One user urged the authorities to file criminal cases against such irresponsible drivers, suggesting that confiscating vehicles and cancelling licences could serve as effective deterrents. Another user criticised the police for their perceived focus on overspeeding fines rather than addressing more dangerous driving behaviours.

In response to growing safety concerns, authorities have taken steps to monitor and enforce traffic regulations on the expressway. In May, 60 cameras were installed to detect vehicles that exceed speed limits and contribute to accidents. Of these, 48 are Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at six different points in each direction. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has also placed video cameras at three additional locations.

These measures aim to curb overspeeding, which has been a significant contributor to the rising number of accidents on the expressway. However, incidents like the one involving the VRS Travels bus indicate that more comprehensive enforcement and stricter penalties may be necessary to ensure the safety of all road users.

As the investigation into this latest incident continues, commuters on the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway are reminded to remain vigilant and report any dangerous driving they witness. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking swift and stringent action against traffic violators to prevent such occurrences from becoming more frequent.

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