Mandya: Superintendent of police VJ Shobharani on Tuesday cautioned that the rising number of road accidents is largely due to youth failing to follow traffic and road safety regulations. She urged young citizens to strictly adhere to traffic rules to prevent avoidable loss of life and also mentioned that the district records nearly 500 to 600 road accident-related deaths every year.Speaking after inaugurating the awareness rally at Sanjay Circle in Mandya on Tuesday, organised as part of National Road Safety Week-2026 by the district judiciary, District Legal Services Authority, and the traffic police department, Shobharani explained that road accidents generally occur due to two major reasons—poor road infrastructure and violations of traffic rules.She emphasised that every individual must remain alert and responsible while using public roads. Acts like riding two-wheelers without helmets, triple riding, and using mobile phones while driving are illegal and pose serious risks to life, she said.Expressing concern over the alarming statistics, she revealed that Mandya district records nearly 500 to 600 road accident-related deaths every year. To curb this trend, she stressed the importance of continuous public awareness programmes along with strict compliance with traffic rules. Road safety, she added, should not be followed only during awareness weeks but practised throughout the year as a civic responsibility.Addressing the gathering, senior civil judge Anand M and member secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, expressed deep concern over the increasing number of young people losing their lives in road accidents. He reiterated that strict adherence to traffic laws is mandatory for both youth and the general public.Additional superintendents of police Thimmaiah and Gangadharaswamy, deputy director of PU education Cheluvaiah, Mandya sub-division deputy superintendent of police H Lakshminarayana Prasad, and traffic police inspector HR Siddappa were also present.As part of the initiative, students marched through the main streets of Mandya city, spreading awareness on road safety and responsible driving. The rally was formally flagged off by Shobharani and Anand.
