Wheeling cases: Mysuru at second spot after Bengaluru

Mysuru: Wheeling cases continue to rise in Mysuru city, with the city ranking second only to Bengaluru, raising serious road safety concerns. Data presented in the Karnataka legislative council also revealed a worrying increase in cases involving minors riding vehicles.In 2025, 646 wheeling cases were reported in Bengaluru as against 48reported in Mysuru.Responding to a question raised by Mysuru-Mandya MLC Madhu G Madegowda, home minister G Parameshwara said that 48 wheeling cases were reported in Mysuru city in 2025, with Rs 1.2 lakh collected as fines. This marks a steady rise from 31 cases in 2024 and 26 cases in 2023. Over the three years, a total of Rs 4.3 lakh was collected as fines from offenders.Interestingly, within the district police limits, only one wheeling case was recorded in 2024.The minister also informed the House that 149 cases involving minors and their parents were registered in Mysuru city over the last three years for minors riding vehicles, with Rs 16.1 lakh collected as fines. In comparison, the district police registered 20 such cases, collecting Rs 16,400 as fines.In 2023, Bengaluru saw 242 case of wheeling while 26 cases were reported in Mysuru. And in 2024, Mysuru reported 31 wheeling cases whereas Bengaluru saw 532 cases, according to data shared by Karnataka home department.Roy Joseph, president of Mysore Grahakara Parishat, stressed that streamlining traffic fine collection and ensuring strict enforcement of rules were crucial to curbing both wheeling and minors riding vehicles, which pose a serious threat to public safety. Experts also cautioned that there could be under-reporting of cases.Echoing these concerns, city-based neurologist Dr Shushrutha Gowda said road traffic accidents were increasing due to higher vehicle ownership, preference for private transport, and rapid urban and industrial growth. "A particularly worrying trend is the rise in two-wheeler use among adolescents aged 14 to 20, often linked to risky behaviours such as wheeling," he said.Clinically, he noted, this age group is increasingly being treated for severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries such as subdural and epidural haematomas, intracranial haemorrhage, as well as chest and abdominal trauma and fractures. "Helmet non-compliance significantly increases the risk of death and long-term disability," he added.Meanwhile, experts also urged the police to streamline the fine collection drive to ensure that violators pay fine, and enforce the rules strictly to bring down these cases.