Overview Abhay Manohar Sapre , Chairman of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety and a retired Supreme Court judge, emphasized that every human life is precious and the ultimate goal should be to reduce road accidents to zero. He highlighted the critical need for enhanced road safety measures during a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee . Key Developments Meeting of the District Road Safety Committee The meeting, presided over by Mr. Sapre , took place at the Zilla Panchayat hall on December 20, 2025 . Key officials including the Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy , Police Commissioner Seema Latkar , and Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhan were present. Road Accident Statistics and Causes Mr. Sapre expressed grave concern over the fact that nearly two lakh people die every year in road accidents across the country. He identified the non-use of helmets and seat belts, along with overspeeding, as the primary causes of road accidents and related fatalities. He stressed that wearing a helmet and seat belt is common sense and doesn't require extensive education, yet even highly educated individuals succumb to accidents due to non-compliance. Need for Change in Public Mindset He emphasized the urgent need for a change in public mindset towards strictly adhering to traffic rules. Creating awareness among the public and ensuring strict enforcement of traffic laws by the police are the only effective ways to reduce road accidents to zero. Road Accidents in Karnataka State and District Ranking Over the last five years , Karnataka has ranked fifth in the country in terms of road accident numbers, while Mysuru district figures among the top 10 districts . Authorities must ensure quality during road construction and take preventive measures to avoid potholes and accident-prone black spots. Inspection of Private Buses Mysuru , being a major tourist destination, witnesses heavy movement of private buses. Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) must regularly inspect the condition of private buses, ensure compliance with government regulations, and verify drivers’ licenses and vehicle insurance. Rural vs. Urban Fatalities Higher Fatalities in Rural Areas More fatalities occur in road accidents in rural areas than in urban centers. Therefore, awareness programs should be conducted extensively in rural areas. Mr. Sapre suggested the establishment of technical traffic parks to educate people about traffic rules. Helmet Usage He also called upon heads of government offices, large companies, and educational institutions to hold meetings and ensure that officers, staff, and students commuting on two-wheelers compulsorily wear helmets every day and make it a regular practice. Presentations by Officials Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy presented details of road accidents reported in the district from 2020 to 2025 , noting the number of fatalities, identified black spots, and explained the measures taken to address them. Police Commissioner Seema Latkar explained the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations in Mysuru city and the steps taken to prevent accidents on accident-prone roads. UPSC Relevance This news highlights the critical issue of road safety, which is directly relevant to GS3 (Infrastructure) and GS2 (Government Policies) . The emphasis on reducing accidents, improving road infrastructure, and enforcing traffic laws aligns with the UPSC syllabus requirements. The ethical dimensions of road safety also connect to GS4 (Ethics) . Key Takeaways for UPSC Importance of road safety for economic development and public health. Role of government policies and enforcement in reducing accidents. Ethical considerations in ensuring safe roads for all citizens.