5 major causes of accidents in India

Over a lakh people die every year due to accidents on roads and highways in India. Despite various measures to stem the causes of accidents, there have been no tangible results and even the government failure in controlling the accidental deaths. In 2024, Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari accepted that accidents and deaths is one area where the govt failed to achieve desired results. The Union Minister also said 178,000 people die every year in the country. In 2022 alone, there were 168, 491 deaths due to accidents.

According to Nitin Gadkari, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Madhya are the states where the maximum number of road accidents took place. The road fatalities in these states are 23,652, 18347, 15366 and 13798 respectively. While Delhi is said to be the worst affected city in terms of accidents with over 1457 fatalities. This is followed by Bengaluru, Jaipur with 915 and 850 death.

Let’s us have a look at 10 major causes of accidents in India.

1. Over-Speeding: One of the major causes of roads accidents and fatalities on Indian roads is over speeding. Many drivers do not adhere to speed limits and end up in horrific road accidents. Also, high speed driving gives the driver very little time to react when some animal or human crosses the road and this led to increase in chances of accidents. Around 1,19,904 people died in 2022 due to over speeding.

2. Drunk Driving: Another reason for major road accident in the country is by drunk driving or under intoxication of drugs. In 2022, there were more than 4,000 death due to drunk driving. Driving during intoxication limits a person’s ability to properly focus and control the vehicle and this lead to major accidents and fatalities.

3. Wrong lane driving: Many a times driver changes lanes without proper indication or sometimes a lapse of judgement leading to accidents. Getting the vehicle in wrong lane of the "No Entry Zone” are likely to cause major accidents. At least 9,000 people died due to wrong lane driving in 2022.

4. Jumping Red Light: Jumping the red signal is also among the major reasons that leads to deadly accidents. Over 1400 people died in the year 2024 due to jumping of red signals. Many a times, drivers show being in a hurry while staying at the signal for just 1 or 2 minutes and speeds up that may lead to major accidents. The red signal is a spot where drivers can’t afford to commit mistakes.

5. Use of Mobile Phone: Nowadays, the usage of mobile phones is comon while driving and such incidents have caused a lot of accidents and fatalities. 3395 people died in accidents that involved use of mobile phone by drivers in 2022, according to a report by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

Tyre bursts, foggy conditions, stray animals, driving in low light conditions, driving by underage, are also some of the major reasons for accidents and fatalities. The data by Road Transport & Highways ministry in 2022 revealed that over 30,000 people were killed due to various such reasons.