In 2013, 771 people were killed and 4,289 injured in 5,230 cases of road accidents.
Though the traffic police claimed there are fewer cases than last year, the number of deaths recorded is more when compared to figures from the previous two years — 760 in 2012 and 762 in 2011, according to the statistics released by the traffic police on Thursday.
54.32 lakh casesCity Police Commissioner Raghavendra H. Auradkar said the city police booked 54.32 lakh cases of traffic violations in 2013, and collected Rs. 56.98 crore in fines.
A total of 8.22 lakh cases were booked against motorcyclists riding without a helmet and 1.28 lakh cases booked for using mobile while driving. Similarly 4.21 lakh cases were booked against those who jumped signals, 85,445 cases for driving without valid documents, 68,365 for rash and negligent driving and 61,709 cases for drunk driving.
Tough on rash driversAdditional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) B. Dayanand said the traffic police were getting tough on those involved in drag racing and doing wheelies. The licences of those caught would be impounded and recommended for suspension and cancellation, he said. “If the offenders are minors, the police will book cases against the parents,” he warned.
The city has over one lakh autorickshaws, of which 30,000 are operating without valid permits. The department would identify such autorickshaws and take action, he added.
The city has around 49 lakh vehicles for one crore population, which is more compared to the other metro cities. It had 19.12 lakh vehicles in 2003.
For pedestriansAlthough the number of vehicles is increasing by the day, there are only 3,000 policemen to manage traffic in the city, the police said.
Considering the safety of the pedestrians, the city police, in association with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, is constructing 100 skywalks across the city, Mr. Dayanand said.