Belagavi sees spike inaccidental deaths again

Belagavi: Number of accidents in Belagavi district is on the rise this year as well. A total of 367 people have lost their lives in 1,017 road accidents between Jan 2026 and June 8, while as many as 1,337 people have been injured.

In 2025, as many as 805 people lost their lives in 2,052 accidents that occurred while 3,058 people were injured over a 12-month period.The number of accidents has increased rapidly in the past five months, and if the trend continues, it is certain to break the previous year’s record. According to police, most accidents occur on rural roads. Reckless driving, riding two-wheelers without helmet, violating road rules, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, speeding, and using vehicles that are in not in optimal condition, all lead to increase in accidents, they said.Police department has taken up several initiatives to control these accidents. District police have now taken the initiative to monitor motorists’ compliance with traffic rules through AI cameras. Steps have been taken to install 290 AI-based CCTVs in 145 locations across the district, excluding Belagavi city. District police department said that in the first phase, 30 cameras have been installed in 15 locations.

These cameras are already issuing automated notices to more than a thousand vehicle owners for violating traffic rules.They also informed that the cameras will be installed in three phases to monitor traffic. It is managed through the office of the district superintendent of police. Already, more than a thousand traffic violations are being detected daily, with a peak of over 4,000 cases being recorded.Helmets will be made mandatory on rural roads in Belagavi district, where accidents are on the higher side.

One-way traffic rules will be implemented, careless driving will be monitored, cameras will be installed at strategic locations, the department added.K Ramarajan, district superintendent of police, responded that collecting fines alone is not the solution to prevent accidents. “This is why AI-powered cameras are being used to monitor traffic violations. If people follow traffic rules, number of accidents can be reduced. We have taken seriously the fact that 900 people die in road accidents in the district every year. Motorists should follow traffic rules,” he added.TableDetails of accidents | 2025 | 2026 (till June 8)Total | 2,052 | 1,017Serious | 759 | 353Non-serious | 1,293 | 664Deaths | 805 | 367Injured | 3,058 | 1,337