Soumya Menon/Newindpress

Bangalore, Dec 20: Stay away from hotels or resorts in the outskirts of the city, especially during Christmas and New Year's eve, warn the police, keeping in mind the rise in number of accidents during nights.

Police officials claim that at least 70 per cent of accidents at night involve teenagers, who head to the outskirts after a party at break-neck speeds.

''College students, IT professionals, BPO and call centre employees, who usually go for long drives in the night towards outskirts, should avoid doing so,'' said a senior police official from Bangalore Rural.

During the Christmas season, youth will be on a party spree and have a tendency to head out, though in groups. ''We have seen children meeting with accidents,'' the officer said.

Apart from accidents, they can be mugged, and even attacked by miscreants. Take for instance, the National Law School (NLS) student who was stabbed to death in Gnanabharati after he got into a brawl with a gang of six unknown men.

“Most of the students are from reputed engineering and medical colleges. About 50 cars are seen at coffee shops in Ramanagaram and Channapatna on weekends,” said a police official from Ramanagaram.

He also said that 2007 witnessed the maximum number of accidents involving youth, with over five accidents being reported every two months. Most of them drive to the outskirts after midnight and maximum accidents take place between 1 am and 4 am, said the officer.

“The usual speed limit on those highways is about 75 km/hr, but youngsters drive at 120 km/hr. Most of them ram into electric poles and road medians,” said he added.

The latest accident occurred on December 4 this year, when a Srilankan national Gayana died on the spot after the Maruti Swift she and her friends were travelling in rammed into a road median at 1 am in Channapatna.

Dos & don'ts

Avoid eating at dhabas and restaurants on the outskirts, especially Nelamangala, Devanahalli, Ramanagaram and Channapatna at late night

Avoid going for long drives and halting at coffee shops on the outskirts

Move in groups and carry self defence items

Inform elders when venturing outskirts and do not resort to drunken driving.

Major accidents in 2007

In March 2007, two teenagers were killed, when their car rammed into an electric pole in Ramanagaram.

In April 2007, a Skoda car rams into electric pole at 3.15 am, two killed, three injured near Channapatna.

In May 2007, two teenagers were killed, while three others injured, after their car rammed into a stationary lorry in Chikkajala.

In June 2007, a software engineer died on the spot after his Getz car rammed into a police barricade in Channapatna at 2.30 am.

In July, 2007, four youths, including two call girls were killed on the spot after their Verna car rammed into an electric pole in Ramanagaram

In November 2007, a NLS student was stabbed to death in Gnanabharati by unknown people.

Accident cases reported

500 in 2004, 452 in 2005 1,324 in 2006.