The Hassan district in Karnataka witnessed a distressing surge in road traffic fatalities during 2025, with official data revealing a significant jump in both accidents and deaths compared to the previous year. The rising numbers have prompted serious concerns among authorities and regular commuters about road safety in the region.
A Grim Toll: Rising Accidents and Fatalities
According to statistics released by the Hassan district police, the year 2025 recorded 260 deaths in road accidents. This marks a worrying increase from the 219 fatalities reported in 2024. The total number of accidents also climbed, with 1,328 incidents registered in 2025 against 1,208 in the preceding year.
The tragic list of incidents included some major catastrophes. One of the most devastating was the death of 10 people in Mosale Hosahalli, when a truck ran over them during a Ganesha immersion procession. Another high-profile case involved a fatal accident that claimed the life of probationary IPS officer Harsh Bardhan.
Root Causes: From Reckless Driving to Road Design
District officials have pinpointed several primary factors behind the alarming trend. The leading causes identified include:
- Violations of traffic rules and rash, negligent driving.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol.
- The prevalence of unscientific speed breakers that pose hazards.
- The use of mobile phones while driving at high speeds.
- Stray cattle causing trouble for motorists.
Adding a ground-level perspective, cab driver Dinesh, who regularly plies routes to Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Mangaluru, highlighted the role of infrastructure. He pointed out that poor road conditions and numerous blind spots have directly resulted in accidents. He appealed to the concerned authorities to take necessary corrective measures to fix these persistent problems.
Official Response and Public Appeal
KS Latha Kumari, the Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee, expressed concern that accidents were increasing daily despite ongoing awareness campaigns run by the administration, police, and transport departments.
She reiterated that driving under the influence of alcohol and using mobile phones while driving at high speeds were major causes. In her advice to the public, she emphasized mandatory safety protocols: "It is mandatory to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers and to use seat belts while driving cars and other vehicles, and speed limits should be controlled."
She concluded with a strong appeal for collective responsibility, stating, "The public must responsibly adhere to traffic rules to reduce legal violations. Vehicle drivers should cooperate in this effort." It is also noted that many minor accidents likely went unreported, suggesting the actual scale of the issue could be even larger.
