A devastating road accident in Gundlupet taluk near Raghavpur Gate claimed the life of a pedestrian, who was struck by a speeding bus while attempting to cross the national highway. This incident adds to the grim statistics reflecting Karnataka’s escalating road fatality rates, where approximately nine accidents occur every two hours, resulting in one death each hour. Nationally, Karnataka ranks fifth for accidents per hour, with a rate of 4.5390, trailing behind Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh. In 2022 alone, the state recorded 11,702 road accident fatalities, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In light of these alarming figures, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to improving road safety. The Ministry has initiated Road Safety Audits (RSA) on all national highways, requiring third-party inspections throughout design, construction, operation, and maintenance phases. Each regional office is assigned a Road Safety Officer (RSO) to ensure regular monitoring and remediation of accident-prone areas.
Gadkari outlined several key safety initiatives, including the introduction of the electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) Project, aimed at centralizing and analyzing accident data. Enhanced guidelines for signage on expressways and national highways have been established to improve visibility and driver guidance. The Ministry has also mandated airbags for front passengers, seat belt reminders, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) for specific vehicles, and speed-limiting devices for transport vehicles. Furthermore, vehicle fitness tests will be automated, and the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) will provide safety ratings for passenger cars, with new regulations for air-conditioned cabins in certain goods vehicles set to take effect in October 2025.
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