A view of the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.
DH PHOTO/PUSHKAR V
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Delhi-based SaveLIFE Foundation on Tuesday to enhance road safety across the state and implement the Zero Fatality District (ZFD) programme.
The initiative aims to significantly reduce road fatalities over the next three years.
Karnataka ranks among the top 10 states with the highest number of road crash fatalities, recording 11,702 deaths, while Bengaluru has a high fatality rate of 772, according to the 2022 data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
To tackle this issue, SaveLIFE Foundation will collaborate with the Transport Department, Karnataka State Road Safety Authority, and other stakeholders to implement the ZFD programme in districts with high road crash fatalities. This will involve analysing FIR data to pinpoint crash hotspots and identify the underlying causes of accidents on critical road stretches. The foundation is currently finalising the districts for the programme’s rollout.
"A comprehensive approach will be adopted, focusing on engineering, enforcement, emergency care, and public awareness. We will address recurring engineering issues, with the State Road Safety Authority working to resolve them," said a spokesperson from SaveLIFE Foundation.
The initiative will also assess enforcement strategies, strengthen trauma care systems, and aim to shift public attitudes toward road safety.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy hailed the initiative as "a major step" towards making Karnataka's roads safer. "By leveraging the expertise and innovative approaches of the SaveLIFE Foundation, we are committed to reducing road fatalities and building a safer future for our citizens," he said.
Piyush Tewari, Founder-CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, said the partnership also involves developing a comprehensive trauma care response system for crash victims, including the implementation of highway rescue protocols in the state.
Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway sees 47% reduction in fatalities
The partnership with the state transport corporation has reduced fatalities on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway by 47% in 2024, compared to the previous year.
Key factors identified in the reduction included road monotony, insufficient signage, and unauthorised median gaps.
These issues were addressed through several interventions, including:
transverse Bar Markings (TBM) for median gaps, optimising entry/exit road designs, installing 150 traffic signs, and Providing Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) training to 160 college students.