Mapping danger: 940 accident blackspots in Karnataka, 460 on highways

BENGALURU: Certain stretches of national highways in Karnataka have emerged as most dangerous, accounting for more than half of nearly 1,000 accident blackspots reported from within the state till date.

According to official data, 459 of 942 blackspots in Karnataka are located on NHs maintained by National Highways Authority of India. A blackspot is a place where three or more fatal accidents are reported in three years on a 500-metre stretch. Within Bengaluru, officials identified 27 blackspots, excluding three additional locations on NICE Road, which connects Tumakuru Road with Hosur Road.

As per accident statistics, 11,324 people lost their lives and 53,938 were injured in road accidents across the state in 2025 — an average of 31 deaths and 147 injuries a day. Over the past five years, the state recorded over 2.4 lakh accidents, claiming 66,791 lives and leaving 2.9 lakh people injured.

Of the top 10 blackspots identified by state police during 2022-24, nine are in south Karnataka. Of these, three are in Bengaluru. Topping the list is the stretch from 8th Mile Junction to Nagasandra toll in Peenya area with 40 accidents and 12 deaths. Second is a stretch at Nidaghatta, near Maddur, on NH-275 in Mandya district with 43 accidents and 18 deaths. The only stretch from North Karnataka was near Korammadevi temple on NH-52 in Vijayapura district with 19 accidents and 20 fatalities.

DG&IGP MA Saleem said measures are being taken to bring down accidents at such spots. "First, we inspected road engineering at these blackspots; then, we addressed the matter in coordination with urban local bodies; we took a few speed-calming measures like displaying hoardings and other signboards, warning commuters to drive carefully," he said. Finally, strict enforcement of traffic rules will help in bringing down the number of accidents, he added.

Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said long-term interventions include correcting road design flaws, widening roads, improving junctions and constructing underpasses and road overbridges.

64 in Bengaluru; KIA stretch tops

Bengaluru traffic police identified 64 accident-prone blackspots between 2023 and 2025, highlighting several stretches that require urgent safety interventions.

According to joint commissioner of police (traffic) Kartik Reddy, Chikkajala traffic police limits on Bengaluru–Ballari Road (NH 44) — the highway connecting the city with Kempegowda International Airport — recorded the highest number of blackspots, with five locations. The accident-prone junctions include Hunasamaranahalli, MVIT, Bettahalasuru, Meenukunte Hosuru and Sadahalli Gate, each reporting more than 15 accidental deaths during the period.

Police said overspeeding and jaywalking were the primary causes.

Other areas with a high number of blackspots include Yelahanka, Electronics City and Kengeri, with four locations each, followed by Bellandur, JB Nagar, Mahadevapura and Byatarayanapura (Mysuru Road) with three blackspots each, according to traffic police data.

DCP (west, traffic) Anoop Shetty said joint teams led by ACPs, along with officials from GBA, NHAI and other agencies, will submit reports on corrective measures.