According to the latest report by the National Crime Record Bureau, Maharashtra is one of the top three states accounting for a major share of total traffic accidents in the country in the year 2020. Dangerous or careless driving emerged as the main cause of road accidents in Maharashtra and Mumbai
A traffic police constable holds up a placard with safe driving tips during a safety awareness campaign in New Delhi. Photo: AFP.
According to the National Crime Record Bureau’s (NCRB) latest report on ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India – 2020’, the number of road accidents decreased from 1,54,732 in 2019 to 1,33,201 in 2020. The dip was seen after a continuous surge in the number of road accidents from 2017 to 2019. The data suggests a similar trend in the number of railway accidents.
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Maharashtra's share
Accident on Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Photo: Mid-day file pic.
While the total number of traffic accidents in Maharashtra decreased from 33,624 to 24,908, it was one of the top three states, which reported maximum deaths due to traffic accidents in India. Maharashtra accounted for 9.5 percent (13,940) of the total fatalities in traffic accidents reported at an all-India level during 2020.
Two-wheeler drivers more vulnerable
A road accident in Bandra. Photo: Mid-day file pic.
In 2020, deaths due to two-wheelers accounted for maximum road accident deaths, which was 43.6 percent. With 5,877 deaths, Maharashtra reported the majority of the total deaths due to two-wheeler vehicles. In Mumbai, a total of 170 accidents occurred from two-wheeler vehicles.
Careless driving, a major cause
Photo: Mid-day file pic.
A total of 3,871 deaths due to road accidents in Maharashtra were caused by dangerous or careless driving habits and overtaking other vehicles. This accounts for 28.9 percent of the total road accident deaths in the state. Careless driving emerged as the major cause of road accidents in Mumbai too with 259 fatalities. Surprisingly, the data reveals none of the accidents were due to lack of road infrastructure in Mumbai.
National Highways
Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Photo: Mid-day file pic.
Of the total road accidents reported across the country, 34 percent occurred on National Highways. Maximum of the fatalities due to road accidents on National Highways took place in Uttar Pradesh, which stood at 13.6 percent, followed by Maharashtra with 7.4 percent or 3,334 deaths.
Railway accidents
Mumbai local train. Photo: AFP
Maharashtra accounted for maximum cases of railway accidents and railway fatalities in the country with a share of 20.7 percent and 16.1 percent, followed by Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, Mumbai reported zero cases of railway accidents in 2020.
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