Bengaluru: “Road safety is not just a matter of traffic management, rather it is a question of life and death for every citizen,” asserted the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Justice Vibhu Bakhru.
National Road Safety Month-2026 was organized at the city’s Palace Grounds under the joint auspices of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, Transport Department and Karnataka State Police Department.
He participated in the 2026 closing ceremony and spoke about the implementation of the e-DAR (electronic Detailed Accident Report) system to provide speedy justice to road accident victims and an awareness program on traffic rules.
The judge expressed concern that more than 2,13,000 road accidents occurred in Karnataka between 2019 and 2025, resulting in the deaths of more than 60,000 people. Of these, 28% were pedestrians, which is extremely unfortunate.
“No judicial process can bring back a life that has been lost. Therefore, accident prevention should be our first priority,” the judge emphasized.
Giving information about the newly implemented e-DAR system, he said that this digital portal will help in real-time information sharing between the police, insurance companies and Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT).
This will ensure that the victims get relief without delay. He said that this has been successfully implemented on a pilot basis in 53 traffic police stations in Bengaluru city.
In addition, he gave important information that 1,33,069 traffic challans have been disposed of so far through the state’s virtual court, collecting fines worth more than Rs 115 crore for the government. Motorists, “Don’t drink and drive. Don’t exceed the speed limit and don’t use mobile phones. Wearing a helmet and seat belt is everyone’s civic duty.” Justice Vibhu Bakru said that protecting the constitutional ‘right to life’ is the collective responsibility of everyone.
The event was graced by the presence of Shri Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, Chairman of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, Judge of the Karnataka High Court and Executive Director of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority.
President Mrs. Justice Anu Sivaraman, Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Advocate General Shri Shashikiran Shetty, President of the Bangalore Bar Association Shri Vivek Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Mr. Tushar Girinath, Chief Commissioner of Greater Bangalore Authority Mr. Maheshwar Rao, Director General of Police Dr. Salim, DGP Shri Pranab Mohanty, Principal Secretary Health Department Shri Harsh Gupta, Bangalore Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Public Works Department Shri Amlan Aditya Biswas, High Court Registrar General Shri Bharat Kumar, KSLSA Member Secretary Mr. Shashidar Shetty, Transport Department Secretary Dr. Prasad, Transport Commissioner Mr. Yogish and Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic) Mr. Karthik Reddy were present.
