Speeding accounted for seven out of every 10 deaths on Indian roads in 2022 as road fatalities hit a record 1,68,491 with another 4.4 lakh injured, including close to 2 lakh who were grievously injured.
While wrong side driving was the second biggest killer among “traffic rule violations”, almost 67,000 persons lost their lives as they did not use the prescribed “safety devices” – helmets and seat belts. The annual data released by the road transport and highways ministry showed that more than 50,000 two-wheeler riders died because they were not wearing helmets, and twice that number were left injured.
Similarly, 16,715 deaths were linked to not wearing seat belts, which also resulted in 42,300 injuries. Health and road safety experts have often termed helmets as the “vaccine for head injuries”.
India has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of road fatalities – with a share of around 11% of global deaths, although its share in vehicular population was estimated to be less than 2%, which does not include non-motorised vehicles.
