Bengaluru: FIR will be registered against drivers exceeding 130 kilometers per hour anywhere in Karnataka starting August 1, a senior traffic police official announced on Monday. The official highlighted that over-speeding accounts for approximately 90 percent of fatal accidents in the state. Additional Director General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety) Alok Kumar noted that on July 25, 155 individuals were recorded driving over 130 kmph on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway.

'From August 1, FIR will be filed against drivers exceeding 130 kmph anywhere in Karnataka for rash and dangerous driving,' Kumar stated. He explained that according to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) - 281, driving over 120 kmph is classified as rash or dangerous.

Referring to an accident on a NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise) road earlier this month, Kumar mentioned that three people were killed in a crash involving a vehicle traveling at 160 kmph. The Supreme Court monitoring committee on road safety took note of this accident and reported to the State government that over-speeding is widespread and contributes to fatalities.

'In 2022, 90 percent of accident deaths in Karnataka were attributed to high speeds. Recently, the Supreme Court monitoring committee urged us to enforce effective measures. As a result, we are implementing this FIR registration against those speeding above 130 kmph. Enforcing this rule will be challenging, but we will make every effort,' he said.

Kumar added that the new rule will apply to all roads, not just highways. 'For instance, we have speed laser guns along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway that record speeds even at night, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras that capture images of over-speeding vehicles and their speeds. This will make it easier to identify and prosecute violators,' he explained.

He noted that the current speed limit on national highways is 100 kmph, while state and other highways have lower limits. On Expressways, the maximum speed limit is 120 kmph." PTI