Road Accident Statistics 2025

Road accident statistics remain a major public safety concern in India, claiming thousands of lives every year. According to the latest Road Accident Statistics tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India’s national highways—which make up just 2% of the country’s road network—have already recorded 29,018 fatalities in the first six months of 2025 alone.

This alarming figure highlights the urgent need for better safety measures and infrastructure upgrades.

Understanding Road Accident Statistics in India

Road accident statistics provide critical insights into the frequency, causes, and impact of road accidents. In India, over 30% of all road accident deaths occur on national highways, despite these roads comprising only a small fraction of the total network.

This disproportionate share underscores the importance of focusing safety initiatives on highways.

Here’s a quick look at the annual road accident data:

With more than 1.72 lakh deaths reported nationwide in 2023, the road accident fatalities remain disturbingly high. The 2025 mid-year figures already represent over 50% of last year’s deaths on highways, signalling that this year could see an even higher toll if corrective actions are not enforced.

These latest road accident statistics should be a wake-up call for all stakeholders.

Causes and Trends in Road Accidents

Various factors contribute to the rising road accidents and fatalities, as revealed by the Road Accident Statistics:

• Poor road infrastructure and substandard road engineering

• Inadequate road markings and signage

• Lack of crash barriers and poorly designed junctions

• Overcrowded highways with increasing traffic volume

• Insufficient enforcement of traffic rules

The government’s data and analysis indicate that road engineering flaws, including low-quality Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and contractor shortcomings, are a significant contributing factor to many accidents.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasised the need to revise the parameters for consultant selection to enhance the quality of road planning and construction.

Government Initiatives to Improve Road Safety Stats

To address this critical issue, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is implementing both short-term and long-term measures, based on recent road accident statistics:

• Road infrastructure improvements, such as spot widening of carriageways, underpasses, and overpasses

• Enhanced road markings and signage for better visibility and guidance

• Installation of crash barriers and raised pavement markers to reduce accident severity

• Geometric improvements and junction redesigns to improve traffic flow

• Deployment of Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) on new and existing highway corridors

• Use of electronic enforcement devices for traffic monitoring and quick incident detection

• Faster on-site assistance and emergency response to reduce fatalities after accidents

Importance of Accurate Accident Data and Reporting

The government compiles accident data through submissions from states and Union Territories via the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) portal. This centralised repository allows for better management, reporting, and analysis of road accident statistics.

Accurate and timely data collection is vital for understanding accident trends and planning effective interventions.

The Road Ahead: Reducing Road Accident Fatalities by 2030

India has set a bold target to halve road accident deaths by 2030. Given the current road accident trends and the sharp rise in 2025 fatalities, experts warn that achieving this goal will require:

• Accelerated safety upgrades on national highways

• Stricter enforcement of traffic laws

• Greater public awareness campaigns focusing on road safety

• Improvement in road engineering quality standards

Without urgent and coordinated efforts, the latest Road Accident Statistics in India 2025 suggest the country risks reversing any progress made in reducing traffic accident deaths.

Final Thoughts

The rising road accident statistics in India highlight a pressing public safety challenge that demands immediate attention. Despite national highways making up only 2% of the road network, they account for over 30% of all road fatalities, which is deeply concerning. The government’s focus on infrastructure improvements, advanced technology integration, and stricter enforcement is essential to reverse this trend.

However, without consistent efforts to enhance road engineering standards and raise public awareness about road safety, the goal to halve road deaths by 2030 will remain difficult to achieve.

Accurate and timely accident data play a crucial role in understanding the patterns and causes of accidents, enabling more effective interventions. Ultimately, a collective commitment from policymakers, engineers, law enforcement, and citizens is vital to making India’s roads safer for everyone.