<p>Tumakuru: Highways of Tumakuru district are turning out to be death traps over the years, as there is a rise in number of accidents, of late. In the last 22 days of this month alone, as many as 41 people lost their lives due to road accidents. </p><p>Disturbing as it may sound, the number of accident fatalities is more on the outskirts of the city and in rural areas. In the last two years, as many as 1,580 have lost their lives in road accidents throughout the district. While 783 people were killed in 2023 in the district, the number touched at 797 in 2024, and, especially on national highways. </p><p>Since people travelling within the city limits follow traffic rules including wearing helmets, the number of accidents has come down. Besides, with the main roads and circles equipped with CCTV cameras, response to attending to accident victims is quite fast. As many as 66 people had lost lives in accidents occurred in city limits in 2023 and the number has come down to 40 now. However, the highways and the city outskirts paint a picture of contrast.</p><p>The Bengaluru-Pune National Highway, Bengaluru-Honnavar National Highway, Tumakuru-Madhugiri State highway, state highway 33 near Kunigal witnesses increased fatal accidents. At least hundreds of vehicles ply on these stretches and there is no cap on speed on these highways.</p><p>“While the condition of roads has drastically improved over the years there is no control on speed. This too has contributed significantly to the accidents,” said a police officer. </p><p>The police officers here observe that stationed vehicles pose more risk to approaching vehicles.</p><p>Many have lost their lives after hitting a stationed vehicle. It may be recalled here that recently, a mother and two children died on the spot after their bike rammed into a stationed tractor near Kora road in Tumakuru taluk. “Vehicles should have a glowing sticker on the rear side so that it alerts approaching vehicle,” observed a police officer. </p><p>Meanwhile, a district-level road safety committee meeting has been held to implement measures to prevent accidents. Deputy Commissioner heads the committee. Accordingly, black spots are being identified in the district and sign boards are being put up to alert vehicle users in the accident-prone zones, the officer said. </p>
<p>Tumakuru: Highways of Tumakuru district are turning out to be death traps over the years, as there is a rise in number of accidents, of late. In the last 22 days of this month alone, as many as 41 people lost their lives due to road accidents. </p><p>Disturbing as it may sound, the number of accident fatalities is more on the outskirts of the city and in rural areas. In the last two years, as many as 1,580 have lost their lives in road accidents throughout the district. While 783 people were killed in 2023 in the district, the number touched at 797 in 2024, and, especially on national highways. </p><p>Since people travelling within the city limits follow traffic rules including wearing helmets, the number of accidents has come down. Besides, with the main roads and circles equipped with CCTV cameras, response to attending to accident victims is quite fast. As many as 66 people had lost lives in accidents occurred in city limits in 2023 and the number has come down to 40 now. However, the highways and the city outskirts paint a picture of contrast.</p><p>The Bengaluru-Pune National Highway, Bengaluru-Honnavar National Highway, Tumakuru-Madhugiri State highway, state highway 33 near Kunigal witnesses increased fatal accidents. At least hundreds of vehicles ply on these stretches and there is no cap on speed on these highways.</p><p>“While the condition of roads has drastically improved over the years there is no control on speed. This too has contributed significantly to the accidents,” said a police officer. </p><p>The police officers here observe that stationed vehicles pose more risk to approaching vehicles.</p><p>Many have lost their lives after hitting a stationed vehicle. It may be recalled here that recently, a mother and two children died on the spot after their bike rammed into a stationed tractor near Kora road in Tumakuru taluk. “Vehicles should have a glowing sticker on the rear side so that it alerts approaching vehicle,” observed a police officer. </p><p>Meanwhile, a district-level road safety committee meeting has been held to implement measures to prevent accidents. Deputy Commissioner heads the committee. Accordingly, black spots are being identified in the district and sign boards are being put up to alert vehicle users in the accident-prone zones, the officer said. </p>
