The high-speed four or six lane roads in the city may be a relief from the excruciating traffic, but the mindless speeding, haphazard designs and unruly driving make them extremely high risk and accident prone.
While the tragic case of a Hong Kong-based girl’s death in an accident on the expressway to Kempegowda International Airport revealed how dangerous a ride to the airport can be, the road to KIA is not the only risky drive in the city according to data from the city police.
While Ballari Road, which leads to the airport, has witnessed 26 fatalities and 122 injured in accidents in the last five months alone, Hosur Road that cuts through Electronics City has also witnessed 26 fatalities and 107 injured in accidents in the same time span.
Old Madras Road that cuts through K.R. Puram and Whitefield has witnessed 22 fatalities. While 80 km/ hr is the speed limit on these roads, motorists often cross speeds in excess of 100 km/ hour.
At such speeds, when motorists do not adhere to lane discipline or drive rashly, it is difficult to prevent accidents, said M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner Traffic.
The worst victims are pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. Of the 317 fatalities in the city in the last five months, 145 were pedestrians and 142 were riding two-wheelers.
