Police to take multi-pronged action to prevent road fatalities

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said here on Tuesday that the police will consider booking those causing death by drink and drive, and by allowing minors to drive, for the offence of culpable homicide (not amounting to murder). They are also contemplating barricading highway medians across the commissionerate to dissuade pedestrians from jaywalking, he said.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said here on Tuesday that the police will consider booking those causing death by drink and drive, and by allowing minors to drive, for the offence of culpable homicide (not amounting to murder). They are also contemplating barricading highway medians across the commissionerate to dissuade pedestrians from jaywalking, he said.

Speaking at the National Road Safety Month awareness programme organised by the department, Mr. Reddy said much depends on the road users. If people adhere to traffic rules and indulge in defensive driving, the majority of accidents could be avoided. Of the 171 road accident deaths reported in the city during 2025, 99% were due to negligence, while the remaining 1% could be attributed to bad infrastructure, he claimed. Yet, the 1% was highlighted, leaving negligent driving/riding aside, he added.

Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy speaks at the National Road Safety Month awareness programme organised by the City Police in Mangaluru, on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH

Mr. Reddy said those indulging in drinking and driving or allowing minors to drive/ride would certainly know the consequences of their acts. When death occurs in such cases, depending on the circumstances, the police would invoke Section 100 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (culpable homicide). The offence attracts a jail term ranging from five to 10 years. Of the 171 fatalities reported in 2025, 25 were caused by minors, he noted.

Considering that nearly 40% of accident victims were pedestrians, the police plan to permanently barricade highway medians across the city to prevent pedestrians from crossing roads at their whim. Pedestrians would be allowed to cross highways only at designated places to ensure their safety.

Arjun Shetty, head of neurosurgery with KMC, Mangaluru, said society should have zero tolerance for drinking and driving and should denounce those indulging in the act. He said those riding two-wheelers must wear helmets for their safety.