Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Jan 29: Ramalinga Reddy, the transport minister has revealed that 43,000 accidents took place in Karnataka last and 9,700 people died as a consequence.

He was speaking during the 26th national road safety week programme conducted by the city traffic police and transport department at Kantirava stadium in city on Wednesday.

“Every year 5 lacs accidents take place in the country and 1.38 lacs people die as a result. Unfortunately Karnataka’s contribution in this is very big. In Bengaluru city 767 people died in 5900 accidents which took place last year. The national loss due to accidents is Rs 70,000 crores, “he added.

“Even though we have many rules to be followed in order to stop accidents, the numbers of accidents has not come down. Lack of information and ignorance of law are the main reasons for the accidents. We are bringing in the awareness on the same including on the ill effects of sound and noise pollution. “Reddy concluded.

Home minister K J George also participated in the programme. He promised that more traffic police stations will be opened soon to contain the road accidents.