Road accidents claim 60,115 lives in five-and-a-half years in Karnataka

Karnataka has reported 2,13,192 road traffic accidents and 60,115 fatalities over the past five-and-a-half years, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy informed the Legislative Council on Wednesday.

Replying to BJP member K.S. Naveen, he said coordinated efforts by the Transport, Police, Law, and Public Works departments have reduced accident numbers in recent years. However, youth fatalities remain high, with overspeeding, wheelies, riding without wearing helmets, and drunken driving cited as major causes, he said.

As of now, the State has issued driving licences to 80,43,253 two-wheelers, 1,17,34,448 four-wheelers, and 7,14,380 heavy vehicles. Additionally, 2,57,321 tractors and 2,89,977 yellow-board taxis are registered, the Minister said.

Year-wise accidents and deaths in Karnataka

While 34,178 accidents and 3,760 deaths were recorded in 2020, the next year (2021) saw as many as 34,647 accidents with 10,038 deaths. In 2022, 39,762 accidents with 11,702 deaths and 43,440 accidents with 12,321 deaths were recorded in 2023. In 2024, 39,228 accidents with 10,319 deaths, and in 2025 (so far), 21,937 accidents with 5,975 deaths have been recorded, he said.

Highest in Bengaluru

In the last five-and-a-half years, Bengaluru city reported the highest number of accidents, 21,910, resulting in 4,154 deaths and injuries to 16,247 people. Mangaluru city followed, the Minister said.