By In the year 2022, the Indian roadways bore witness to a staggering 4,61,312 road accidents, marking an 11.9% surge compared to the previous year. The consequences were even more harrowing, as fatalities surged by 9.4%, with 1,68,491 lives lost. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has shed light on a distressing revelation in their recent report. ‘Overspeeding’ emerged as the primary culprit behind the alarming statistics, responsible for a substantial 71.2% of the total deaths and 72.8% of injuries stemming from road accidents. Overspeeding incidents increased by 12.8% compared to the previous year, with the toll of deaths and injuries climbing by 11.8% and 15.2%, respectively.
Notably, ‘Driving on the wrong side of the road’ came in as the second highest cause of road accidents in 2022, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations. ‘Drunken driving’ and ‘using mobile phones while driving’ also contributed significantly to the grim statistics, accounting for 7.4% of total accidents and 8.3% of deaths. The report underscores the importance of protective gear, with 50,029 individuals losing their lives due to not wearing helmets. Disturbingly, 71.3% of them were drivers, and 28.7% were passengers.
Equally concerning, 1,01,891 people sustained injuries because they weren’t wearing helmets, and 42,303 individuals neglected to use seat belts. The data serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for responsible driving practices, adherence to speed limits, and the consistent use of protective gear. As India grapples with the concerning rise in road accidents and their devastating consequences, it is imperative that citizens, along with authorities, work in unison to curb this alarming trend and create safer roads for all.
