Road Safety is a Question of Life and Death: Karnataka Chief Justice
BY CREDOPRESS MEDIA PVT LTD
February 6, 2026
In a stern reminder to the public, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Justice Vibhu Bakhru, has asserted that road safety is far more than just “traffic management.” Speaking at the closing ceremony of National Road Safety Month 2026 at Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, the Chief Justice emphasized that road safety is a fundamental matter of life and death for every citizen.
The Judge expressed deep concern over the rising numbers of road tragedies in the state. Over the last six years, Karnataka has witnessed:
Total Accidents: Over 2,13,000 recorded incidents.
Fatalities: More than 60,000 lives lost.
Vulnerable Road Users: Nearly 28% of those killed were pedestrians—a figure the Judge described as “extremely unfortunate.”
“No judicial process can bring back a life that has been lost. Therefore, accident prevention must be our first priority,” — Justice Vibhu Bakhru.
The Chief Justice concluded with a direct appeal to motorists, reminding them that protecting the Constitutional Right to Life is a collective responsibility. He highlighted four critical “Don’ts” for every driver:
Don’t drink and drive.
Don’t exceed speed limits.
Don’t use mobile phones while driving.
Do wear helmets and seatbelts—it is your civic duty.
