7.77 Lakh Road Accident Deaths in India Over 5 Years: Here Are the Worst-Hit States

Road fatalities surge to 1.68 lakh in 2022; Minister Gadkari calls for urgent behavioral and legal changes to improve road safety.

Road accidents in India have claimed over 7.77 lakh lives between 2018 and 2022, with Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra emerging as the states with the highest fatalities, according to the latest data from the ‘Road Accidents in India, 2022’ report. Released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the report highlights a concerning rise in road accident deaths, reaching 1,68,491 fatalities in 2022, up from 1,53,972 in 2021.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed his disappointment over the grim statistics, acknowledging that India’s target of reducing road accidents by 50% remains unachieved. “I feel embarrassed attending international road safety conferences. I have to hide my face,” said Mr. Gadkari, emphasizing the need for a behavioral shift and stricter adherence to road laws to address the issue.

State-Wise Road Accident Data

The states recording the highest fatalities in 2022 alone include:

• Uttar Pradesh: 22,595 deaths

• Tamil Nadu: 17,884 deaths

• Maharashtra: 15,224 deaths

• Madhya Pradesh: 13,798 deaths

Top 10 States for Road Accident Fatalities (2018-2022)

The cumulative data over the past five years reveals that Uttar Pradesh tops the list with over 1,08,882 deaths, followed closely by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

• Uttar Pradesh – 1,08,882 deaths

• Tamil Nadu – 84,316 deaths

• Maharashtra – 66,370 deaths

• Madhya Pradesh – 58,580 deaths

• Karnataka – 53,448 deaths

• Rajasthan – 51,280 deaths

• Andhra Pradesh – 39,058 deaths

• Bihar – 36,191 deaths

• Gujarat – 36,626 deaths

• Telangana – 35,565 deaths

Cities with the Highest Fatalities

Among urban areas, Delhi recorded the highest number of road accident deaths in 2022, followed by Bengaluru and Jaipur:

• Delhi: 1,457 fatalities

• Bengaluru: 915 fatalities

• Jaipur: 850 fatalities

Key Causes of Road Accidents

The report attributes the majority of fatalities to preventable causes such as:

• Speeding

• Driver distraction (e.g., mobile phone use)

• Drunken driving

• Driver indiscipline (e.g., lane violation and signal jumping)

Unregulated urban traffic, lack of enforcement of road safety laws, and poor awareness of traffic rules continue to exacerbate the crisis.

Government’s Response

In response to the rising fatalities, Mr. Gadkari stressed the importance of creating a culture of respect for road laws and improving human behavior on roads. He also emphasized that innovative safety measures, stricter penalties for violations, and better road infrastructure will be key to reversing the trend.

Experts and road safety advocates have urged for:

• Enhanced driver education programs

• Stricter monitoring of traffic violations

• Widespread public awareness campaigns on safe driving practices.

The staggering road accident statistics underscore an urgent need for comprehensive reforms in traffic management and public behavior. With Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra consistently topping the charts, the focus must shift towards better enforcement, road engineering, and civic education to reduce fatalities in the years ahead.