Between 2019 and 2025, nearly 28% of road accident victims in Karnataka were pedestrians: CJ Vibhu Bakhru

Pointing out that nearly 28% of the 60,000 lives lost in the road accidents that occurred between 2019 and 2025 in Karnataka were pedestrians, Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru of the High Court of Karnataka has urged every road user to adopt a cautious and disciplined approach.

He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of electronic-Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) implementation and National Road Safety Month jointly organised by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, the Transport and Police Departments in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Calling upon the motorists to yield to pedestrians, avoid using mobile phones while driving, not to drive under the influence of alcohol, do not exceed speed limits, and always wear helmets and seatbelts, he said that these actions require very little effort, yet they prevent immeasurable harm.

Pointing out that online integration of an accident data management system like e-DAR is vital in assisting the courts to effectively address post-accident case management, including compensation claims, Chief Justice Bakhru said no legal proceeding can undo the loss of a human life.

Traffic challans

The virtual court, over the past four to five years, has processed 1,33,069 traffic challans, of which only 323 cases were contested and referred to regular courts for trial, he said, while pointing out that virtual court has not only reduced the burden on regular courts but has also resulted in collection of ₹115.16 crore as fine amount to the State exchequer till date.

Earlier in the day, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy inaugurated the implementation of e-DAR, an online system aimed at faster, more efficient reporting and processing of road accident cases in Karnataka.

Mr. Reddy said that the e-DAR platform has been designed to bring all stakeholders involved in road accident cases onto a single digital interface, reducing delays caused by manual documentation and improving coordination among departments. “The system acts as a central repository for reporting, management and analysis of road accident data, with the larger goal of enhancing road safety across the State,” he said.