Tamil Nadu is death capital of India | 2.9 L out of 21 L road accidents between 2018-22 in country

NEW DELHI: Amid the increasing concerns about traffic jams and road accidents in the country, the data shared by India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has disclosed that Tamil Nadu tops the list of most number of crashes or untoward incidents while driving for at least five years even including the Covid-hit period.

While India witnessed 21,73,287 accidents between 2018-22, Tamil Nadu alone saw 2,99,595 accidents. This was followed by Madhya Pradesh with 2,50,641 road accidents, Uttar Pradesh with 1,98,858, Karnataka with 1,90,952, Kerala with 1,86,375 and Maharashtra with 1,56,473.

This data was presented to a Lok Sabha query raised by MP Ujjwal Raman Singh. The report sheds light on road accident statistics, government measures, and potential education reforms to improve road safety.

The Ministry revealed a noticeable rise in road accidents in 2022-23 compared to previous years. The last data was counted in 2022. With 4,61,312 road accidents occurring in India in 2022, there was an increase of more than 40,000 such incidents roughly from 4,12,432 in 2021. This represents a significant uptick in incidents, with the highest number of road accidents recorded in Tamil Nadu (64,105), Madhya Pradesh (54,432), and Uttar Pradesh (41,746). States such as Kerala and Maharashtra also reported substantial increases. The data demonstrates a worrying trend of escalating road mishaps in densely populated and high-traffic regions.

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To address traffic jams, reckless driving, and misuse of pressure horns—key contributors to road accidents—the government is enforcing stricter road safety measures. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 has introduced provisions for electronic monitoring and road safety enforcement in high-risk areas. Under these provisions, the Ministry has implemented advanced technologies such as the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) on high-density corridors. These systems are now a part of new National Highway projects and have also been retrofitted on critical stretches.

In addition to technological interventions, the government regularly conducts public awareness campaigns, including the annual National Road Safety Month, to educate citizens about traffic rules and the importance of road safety.

The government has proposed the inclusion of traffic rules and road safety education in school curriculums. Discussions with the NCERT and the Department of School Education and Literacy are underway to incorporate these topics into textbooks, aiming to instill awareness among students from an early age.

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While the central government formulates overarching policies under the Motor Vehicles Act, the enforcement of these regulations remains a state responsibility. State governments have the authority to develop schemes for traffic decongestion, designate parking zones, and establish safety protocols. Effective implementation at the state level is critical for achieving the objectives set by the central government.

The data underscores the urgency of addressing road safety concerns, especially with the increase in road accidents over the last year. Through a combination of technological upgrades, public education, and stronger enforcement, the government is taking steps to reduce road accidents and improve traffic management. However, collaboration between the central and state governments, along with active public participation, remains crucial to ensure safer roads for all.