Speeding In Karnataka? FIR Could Be Filed Against Drivers Above This Limit From August 1

Karnataka traffic police can now file FIRs against drivers exceeding the 130 km per hour speed limit anywhere in the state. The decision was announced on Monday and will be effective August 1.

"From August 1, FIRs will be registered against those driving vehicles above 130 km per hour anywhere in Karnataka for rash and dangerous driving,” said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Alok Kumar.

He added that on July 25 approximately 155 people drove above 130 km per hour speed on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.

Kumar said under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash and negligent driving, if a driver exceeds the speed limit of 120 km per hour, then it is considered rash and dangerous driving.

Recalling the accident in early July on NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise) road where three people got killed, he said the vehicle was speeding at 160 km per hour.

Earlier, the Supreme Court monitoring committee had taken cognizance of the increase in cases of over-speeding that led to loss of lives in Karnataka. The panel had asked the state government to take corrective steps.

Kumar said in 2022, 90% of accident deaths in Karnataka were attributed to overspeeding. He said following directives from the SC committee, they had decided to enforce the new rule on overspeeding.

The new speed norm applies to all roads, and not just highways.

Kumar said 155-speed laser guns had been distributed to determine vehicle speeds. "We have speed laser guns installed all along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway which record vehicle speeds even at night and Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras along the highway help us in recording pictures of over-speeding vehicles, along with their speeds. So, it would be easier for us to record and book violators," he added.

On national highways, the speed limit is 100 km per hour, while it is 120 km per hour for Expressways nationwide.

(With PTI inputs)