Road crash report: 77,539 die in vehicular accidents in India; 45% bikers

A report by the Union Ministry of Transport and Highways has revealed that deaths of bikers contribute the highest share in vehicular accidents in India, with 45 per cent of two-wheeler drivers who lost their lives in road crashes in 2023.

Cars and taxis came second in the list, while truck accidents came third. The Road Accidents in India 2023 report highlights the disproportionate impact of two-wheeler crashes on vulnerable road users.

In 2023, one in four pedestrian and cyclist deaths resulted from collisions involving two-wheelers, pointing to an escalating risk for those not using motorised transport. Notably, two-wheeler riders themselves made up the largest share of fatalities in such incidents, with 27,539 riders losing their lives in crashes involving these vehicles.

In terms of states that ranked highest in the number of biker deaths, Tamil Nadu topped the chart with 1,796 pedestrian deaths and 5,906 two-wheeler occupant fatalities. Meanwhile, 938 pedestrians died in West Bengal, 865 in Bihar, 787 in Karnataka and 747 in Maharashtra in 2023.

The report also identifies states with the highest number of fatalities involving two-wheeler riders in crashes caused by the same type of vehicle. Madhya Pradesh reported 2,916 such deaths, followed by Maharashtra with 2,646 and Uttar Pradesh with 2,279.

Beyond collisions involving other two-wheeler riders, the data underscores that two-wheeler riders remain especially vulnerable in crashes involving all types of vehicles. Experts have emphasised the urgent need for stricter enforcement of helmet laws and have also advocated for the creation of dedicated, segregated lanes to improve safety for two-wheeler users.