Road accidents claim 1.78 lakh lives annually, 60% aged 18-34, govt tells LS

New Delhi: In a concerning revelation to the Lok Sabha, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the alarming rate of road accidents in India, with approximately 1.78 lakh annual fatalities predominantly affecting young adults aged 18-34 years, who account for 60 per cent of the victims.

During Thursday’s Question Hour, Gadkari expressed frustration over the widespread disregard for traffic laws, noting that many two-wheeler riders continue to operate vehicles without helmets and frequently violate traffic signals. “It’s a strange situation where there is no fear of law,” the minister remarked.

The state-wise analysis reveals Uttar Pradesh leading with over 23,000 deaths, constituting 13.7 per cent of national road fatalities, followed by Tamil Nadu with more than 18,000 deaths (10.6 per cent). Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh reported over 15,000 (9 per cent) and 13,000 (8 per cent) deaths respectively. Among cities, Delhi tops the list with more than 1,400 fatalities, while Bengaluru and Jaipur recorded 915 and 850 deaths, respectively.

Gadkari, speaking from personal experience, admitted that his own vehicle had been fined twice in Mumbai for traffic violations. He identified lane indiscipline as the primary cause of accidents in India, distinguishing it from high-speed driving, which he noted is common worldwide but managed better in other countries.

The minister emphasised the critical need for traffic education, particularly among youth and children, to instill proper road safety habits. To enforce compliance, the government has implemented CCTV surveillance on roads. Gadkari urged Lok Sabha members to organise awareness programs in their constituencies, a sentiment echoed by Speaker Om Birla, who stressed parliamentarians’ responsibility to educate constituents about traffic rules.