Bengaluru, May 28: In a devastating turn of events, Karnataka witnessed its highest single-day fatalities in the recent past, with 51 people losing their lives in road accidents within just a 24-hour period across the state. Additional Director General of Police for Traffic & Road Safety, Alok Kumar, underscored the gravity of the situation, attributing many of the fatalities to reckless driving behaviors. The tragedies serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and responsible conduct from all stakeholders.

These incidents punctuate a broader issue plaguing the state's roadways, with statistics revealing an alarming trend of road-related casualties. Tumakuru district recorded the highest number of fatalities with seven deaths, followed closely by Hassan with six, Bengaluru city and Bengaluru rural with four each, and Karwar with three, as per police records reported by Times of India. Karnataka has been witnessing an average of 34 fatalities daily due to road accidents, with highways emerging as the epicentres of these tragedies. Karnataka Road Accident: Six Members of Family Including One Child Dead in Tragic Accident Near Hassan.

51 Lives Lost in 24 Hours

Shockingly, of the 51 deceased, 30 were riders of two-wheelers. According to Kumar, these deaths occurred mostly at night, with pedestrians attempting to cross state or national highways. Furthermore, weekends often witness a surge in such incidents, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and enforcement of traffic regulations during peak periods, as reported by the New Indian Express. Karnataka Road Accident: Four Killed, Four Others Injured in Multi-Vehicles Collision on Bengaluru-Mumbai National Highway in Dharwad.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced new regulations to streamline the process of obtaining a driving license in India, effective June 1, 2024. Private driving training centres will now conduct driving tests, reducing reliance on government RTOs. These institutions must meet specific criteria, including land requirements and trainer qualifications, to ensure high-quality training. The training duration varies based on the type of vehicle, with fees structured according to licensing-related services.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2024 11:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).