Maharashtra Sees Alarming 23% Jump in Road Crash Deaths Over Six Years
A recent report from the highway police paints a grim picture of road safety in Maharashtra. Fatalities from road-related crashes surged by 23% between 2019 and 2024. The death toll climbed from 12,788 in 2019 to a staggering 15,715 in 2024.
Mumbai Emerges as a Major Accident Hotspot
The financial capital, Mumbai, recorded the highest number of pedestrian deaths in 2024, with 185 lives lost. It also reported the highest total number of crashes, including minor collisions, at 2,604 incidents. Nearly 45% of all identified 'black spots'—dangerous accident-prone locations—were concentrated in five areas: Mumbai, Nashik Rural, Dhule, Beed, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar combined.
Vulnerable Road Users Bear the Brunt
The data reveals a troubling trend. Vulnerable road users, particularly occupants of two-wheelers and three-wheelers, accounted for more than half of all fatalities in the state during 2024. When examining demographics, men aged between 35 and 45 years were the most impacted group in fatal crashes.
Speeding Identified as the Primary Killer
Speeding was the leading cause of fatal crashes, responsible for a massive 71% of such incidents in 2024. A roadside speed observation study conducted in March 2024 by Johns Hopkins University, in partnership with IIT-Bombay, provided further insight. The study, part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, monitored 30 locations across Maharashtra between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
It found that SUVs had the highest average speed among all vehicles, clocking in at 64 kmph. Alarmingly, speeding was most common in zones that already had low posted speed limits.
Highway Police Call for Stringent Measures
The highway police report strongly recommends several countermeasures. It calls for the implementation of periodic speed monitoring on major high-risk roads. The report also advocates for increased deployment of speed detection and enforcement technologies.
To strengthen deterrence, the report underscores the need for a robust mechanism to ensure the timely payment of e-challans. It emphasizes that building safer roads for vulnerable users is crucial. This includes specifically targeting speed reduction measures, developing safe pedestrian infrastructure, and enhancing motorcyclist safety. The report insists that the use of clasped helmets must be strictly enforced.
Local Roads and Specific Vehicle Impacts
The report further detailed that in 2024, fatalities were most prevalent on local and collector roads, accounting for over 40% of deaths. This figure surpasses the toll on national highways and state highways.
Breaking down the vehicle impacts, the report disclosed that 27% of pedestrian deaths resulted from collisions with cars, taxis, vans, and light motor vehicles. Meanwhile, 30% of two-wheeler rider deaths were caused by collisions with other motorcyclists.
Seasonal Trends in Crash Numbers
The months of May and December witnessed the highest numbers of both fatal and non-fatal crashes in both 2023 and 2024. The report suggests that holidays and the festive season during these months are potential contributing factors to this seasonal spike.
