Thiruvananthapuram Road Accidents: Grievous Injuries Surge Despite Decline in Fatalities
While road accident deaths in Thiruvananthapuram have not increased sharply over the past three years, official data reveal a concerning surge in grievous injuries, signaling a silent public health and economic crisis. Between 2022 and 2025, the total number of road accidents reported in the city rose from 1,825 to 2,500, while accidents in rural areas increased from 3,260 to 3,545.
Fatalities Decline Due to Improved Safety Measures
During the same period, fatalities in the city declined from 171 to 144, and deaths in rural areas fell from 373 to 303. Officials attribute this reduction in fatalities to improved trauma care, faster emergency response, and stricter enforcement of helmet and seat belt norms. A decline in head-on collisions has also contributed to fewer deaths, according to authorities.
Sharp Rise in Grievous Injuries Across Kerala
However, the fall in fatalities has been accompanied by a sharp rise in grievous injuries. In the city, cases involving grievous injuries increased from 1,422 in 2022 to 1,977 in 2025. Rural areas recorded a similar rise, from 2,622 to 2,995 during the same period. This pattern is reflected across Kerala as well, with statewide data showing that grievous accidents rose from 31,584 in 2022 to 36,245 in 2025, while the number of persons grievously injured increased from 34,638 to 39,904.
Long-Term Social and Economic Consequences
Experts warn that the growing burden of grievous injuries has long-term social and economic consequences. "Many survivors of grievous accidents require prolonged treatment and are unable to return to work for extended periods. This places a heavy financial burden on families," said Godwin S K, a health economist and economics faculty member at Govt College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, who has conducted extensive research on the economic impact of road accident injuries.
He noted that in cases involving drunk driving, the medico-legal process often becomes complicated, leading to delays in treatment and additional stress for patients and families. "In a single hospital admission, the cost of treating grievous injuries can range from Rs 30,000 to 1 lakh, depending on the severity. For many families in Kerala, this can severely affect livelihoods," he added.
Unsafe Driving Practices as Primary Contributors
Traffic officials pointed to unsafe driving practices as the primary contributors to the severity of accidents. R Suresh, assistant commissioner of traffic, stated that rash and drunk driving contributed to nearly 80% of grievous injury cases. This highlights the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and public awareness campaigns to address the root causes of these severe accidents.
