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December 25, 2025 — As the calendar year 2025 draws to a close, preliminary data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) indicates a challenging year for road safety in India. Despite intensified enforcement and the “Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2025,” road accidents remain a leading cause of preventable mortality in the country.
I. 2025 Statistical Overview (Preliminary)
Data compiled through late December 2025 reveals the following trends:
National Fatalities: India is projected to record over 1.75 lakh road-related deaths in 2025, a marginal increase from the previous year.
Highway Crisis: National Highways, which represent only 2% of India’s road network, accounted for nearly 35% of all fatalities, with approximately 26,770 deaths recorded in the first half of the year alone.
Vulnerable Road Users: Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians remain the most at risk, making up over 55% of total casualties.
The “Deadly Afternoon”: Statistical analysis shows that the window between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM remains the most dangerous period, likely due to driver fatigue and high traffic density.
2.State-Wise Accident & Safety Performance (2025)
Andhra Pradesh: Reports a rise in accident severity on industrial corridors despite a slight dip in total accidents. The state is currently focusing on “Pothole-Free Roads” to lower fatalities by 2026.
Arunachal Pradesh: High-altitude terrain and unpredictable weather remain the primary causes of its road mishaps. Safety measures are being centered on installing reinforced crash barriers along critical mountain bends.
Assam: Observed a surge in commercial vehicle accidents during the monsoon season due to poor visibility and hydroplaning. Strict enforcement of night-speed limits on NH-37 has been implemented this year.
Bihar: Continues to struggle with a high fatality-to-accident ratio, largely due to vehicle overloading. The state has recorded a high number of deaths among pedestrians and cyclists in semi-urban areas.
Chhattisgarh: Witnessed an increase in accidents involving heavy trucks in mining zones. Authorities have introduced dedicated transport corridors for minerals to separate heavy traffic from passenger vehicles.
Goa: Fatalities involving tourists on rented two-wheelers saw a 13% spike in 2025. New regulations now require mandatory safety orientation and high-quality helmets for all rental vehicle users.
Gujarat: Showing improvement, the state recorded a decline in highway deaths due to the widespread rollout of Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) that monitor speed and lane discipline.
Haryana: Reported a notable reduction in accidents on the KMP Expressway after intensified patrolling. However, dense winter fog continues to cause seasonal pile-ups involving multi-axle vehicles.
Himachal Pradesh: Hilly terrain and “silent” landslides are the leading environmental factors for crashes. The state has upgraded several “black spots” with better lighting and warning sensors this year.
Jharkhand: Recorded a higher death rate per accident than the national average, especially in the industrial belts. A lack of trauma care facilities near highways is cited as a major hurdle in reducing fatalities.
Karnataka: Saw over 43,000 accidents in 2025, with Bengaluru continuing as a high-density zone for two-wheeler injuries. The state is implementing AI-based “Traffic Eye” cameras to penalize wrong-side driving.
Kerala: Has high accident numbers but the lowest severity rate, meaning fewer deaths per 100 crashes. Excellent “Golden Hour” medical response and lower average speeds due to high road density are the reasons.
Madhya Pradesh: Ranks second in the country for deaths due to non-compliance with seatbelts and helmets. State police have launched a massive “Wear to Live” campaign targeting college students and rural youth.
Maharashtra: Fatalities on the Samruddhi Mahamarg and Mumbai-Pune Expressway remain a concern due to “highway hypnosis.” The state has introduced mandatory rest-stop intervals for commercial drivers during night hours.
Manipur: Improved its safety metrics in 2025, reporting a decline in urban accidents. The focus remains on improving the structural integrity of old bridges and hill-side road stabilizers.
Meghalaya: Fog-related collisions in the Khasi Hills account for the majority of fatalities. The state is investing in high-visibility road markers and reflective thermal-paint signage.
Mizoram: Achieved one of the best compliance rates for helmet use in India, keeping its fatality numbers low. Most accidents are attributed to engine failures or brake issues on steep gradients.
Nagaland: Reported a significant drop in road crashes due to localized community safety programs. Police have intensified checks on drunk driving, which was a leading cause in previous years.
Odisha: Despite infrastructure growth, “black spots” on National Highways continue to claim lives. The state is utilizing drone surveillance to monitor traffic flow and detect illegal road crossings.
Punjab: Successfully reduced its total accident count by 5% in 2025 through stricter RTO reforms. However, tractor-trolley accidents during the harvest season remain a seasonal safety challenge.
Rajasthan: Reports high-speed fatalities on desert stretches, particularly involving SUVs. Sandstorm-related visibility issues are being addressed through automated weather-warning displays on highways.
Sikkim: Tourism-related vehicle mishaps saw a slight rise during the peak summer of 2025. Mandatory hill-driving certifications for out-of-state commercial drivers have been proposed to curb this.
Tamil Nadu: Leads India in total accident numbers but shows a 10% reduction in urban fatalities. Its AI-monitored “Safe Corridor” project is being used as a model for other states to follow.
Telangana: Tragic head-on collisions involving RTC buses highlighted the need for better lane dividers. The state is now prioritizing the installation of median-fencing on all major state highways.
Tripura: Improved emergency medical response has led to a decrease in death rates despite steady accident numbers. Most accidents involve small passenger vehicles on narrow rural roads.
Uttarakhand: “Tirth-yatri” (Pilgrim) vehicle accidents during the Char Dham Yatra remain a critical focus. Speed governors are now mandatory for all commercial buses operating in the hilly districts.
Uttar Pradesh: Remains the state with the highest fatalities (24,000+), mostly on its vast expressway network. Overspeeding and wrong-side entry at toll exits are the primary targets for 2025 enforcement.
West Bengal: Pedestrian safety is the biggest challenge, as they make up a high percentage of road victims. The state is currently building 50 new foot-over-bridges in high-density areas of Kolkata and Howrah.
III. Leading Causes of Accidents in 2025
Overspeeding: Responsible for over 65% of all fatal crashes.
Safety Gear Non-Compliance: A staggering number of deaths were linked to riders not wearing ISI-certified helmets or drivers failing to use seatbelts.
Human Error: Distracted driving (mobile phone usage) and driving under the influence (DUI) remain top behavioral concerns.
Infrastructure Gaps: “Black spots” (accident-prone areas) and poor signage on state highways continue to contribute to high-impact collisions.
IV. Comprehensive Prevention Guide: “Vision Zero” Strategy
The Government of India, under the “Vision Zero” initiative, urges citizens to adopt the following life-saving measures:
For Drivers and Riders:
The “Golden Hour” Awareness: Most deaths occur due to delayed medical help. If you witness an accident, the Good Samaritan Law protects you from legal trouble if you assist victims.
Strict Speed Adherence: Speed limits are designed for the road’s geometry. Reducing speed by just 10% can reduce the risk of a fatal crash by 30%.
Mandatory Safety Gear: * Two-Wheelers: Always secure the chin strap of your helmet.
Four-Wheelers: Ensure rear-seat passengers also wear seatbelts (now strictly enforced in 2025).
Zero Distraction: Avoid mobile phone usage, including hands-free devices, which still cause “cognitive distraction.”
For Pedestrians:
Visibility: Wear reflective or bright clothing when walking on highways at night.
Designated Crossings: Use foot-over-bridges (FOBs) and zebra crossings exclusively.
Technological Interventions: The government is deploying Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and AI-enabled speed cameras across all major National Expressways to ensure real-time penalty issuance (e-challans).
How to Prevent Accidents: A 2025 Action Plan
Preventing road accidents requires a combination of individual responsibility and systemic changes, often referred to as the 4E Model:
Education: Standardizing driver training through accredited institutes rather than informal learning. Public campaigns in 2025 have shifted toward showing “impact stories” to influence younger drivers (ages 18–35).
Enforcement: Using technology like Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) to issue e-challans for overspeeding, wrong-side driving, and helmet violations without human intervention.
Engineering: Identifying and fixing “black spots”—specific 500-meter stretches where accidents happen repeatedly. Improving road signage and installing crash barriers on hilly terrains is also vital.
Emergency Care: Strengthening the “Golden Hour” response. Under the Good Samaritan Law, bystanders are encouraged to help victims without fear of legal or police harassment, which can save thousands of lives annually.
V. Conclusion
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” stated a senior MoRTH official. “While the government is spending over 15% of highway project budgets on safety audits and ‘black spot’ rectification, the ultimate solution lies in the hands of the person behind the wheel.”
#RoadSafetyIndia2025 #VisionZeroIndiab #SadakSurakshaAbhiyan #SafeIndia2025 #DriveSafeIndia
#venugopal Reporter
