Bring road accident fatalities down to zero, says retired SC judge

Abhay Manohar Sapre, chairman of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety and a retired Supreme Court judge, said that every human life is precious and the goal should be to reduce road accidents to zero.

He was presiding over a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee at the Zilla Panchayat hall here on December 20.

The fact that nearly two lakh people die every year in road accidents across the country is a matter of grave concern, he said.

Stating that non-use of helmets and seat belts, along with overspeeding, are the primary causes of road accidents and accident-related deaths, he stated that wearing a helmet and seat-belt while driving is common sense and does not require any education. There are instances where even highly educated people have lost their lives in road accidents owing to the failure to follow these rules, Mr. Sapre observed.

He stressed the need for a change in public mindset towards strictly adhering to traffic rules. He further underscored creating awareness among the public and ensuring strict enforcement of traffic laws by the police are the only ways reduce road accidents to zero.

Road accidents in Karnataka

Over the last five years, Karnataka has ranked fifth in the country in terms of road accident numbers, while Mysuru district figures among the top 10 districts. Authorities must ensure quality during road construction and take preventive measures so that potholes and accident-prone black spots do not emerge in the future, he added.

Mysuru, a major tourist destination, witnesses heavy movement of private buses. Regional Transport Officers must regularly inspect the condition of private buses, ensure compliance with government regulations, and verify drivers’ licences and vehicle insurance, he said.

Fatalities more in rural areas

More fatalities occur in road accidents in rural areas than in urban centres. Hence, awareness programmes should also be conducted extensively in rural areas, Mr. Sapre said, suggesting the establishment of technical traffic parks to educate people about traffic rules.

He also called upon heads of government offices, large companies, and educational institutions to hold meetings and ensure that officers, staff, and students commuting on two-wheelers compulsorily wear helmets every day and make it a regular practice.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy presented details of road accidents reported in the district from 2020 to 2025, noted the number of fatalities, identified black spots, and explained the measures taken to address them.

Police Commissioner Seema Latkar explained the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations in Mysuru city and the steps taken to prevent accidents on accident-prone roads.

Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhan, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Yukesh Kumar, Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Sheikh Tanveer Asif, and other officials were present.