Road crashes remain the leading cause of deaths from unintentional injuries in India, accounting for over 43 per cent of such fatalities, with overspeeding being the primary factor, according to a new report released by the Union Ministry of Health here.

The “National Strategy for Prevention of Unintentional Injury,” report which was released at the “Safety 2024” World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, highlights that while drowning, falls, poisoning, and burns also contribute to unintentional injury deaths, road traffic crashes (RTCs) are the most significant concern.

The report reveals that in 2022, there were 430,504 deaths from unintentional injuries and 170,924 from intentional injuries, with RTCs making up 43.7 per cent of unintentional injury deaths.

It also noted that despite efforts to improve road safety, India continues to grapple with a high number of fatalities due to road traffic injuries (RTIs). The mortality ratio remains constant at approximately 86 per cent for males and 14 per cent for females.

“Over-speeding is the leading cause of these deaths, accounting for a staggering 75.2 per cent of fatalities. Other major contributing factors include driving on the wrong side of the road (5.8 per cent) and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (2.5 per cent).

“Analysis of RTIs reveals a significant disparity in mortality rates based on location. Rural areas bear the brunt of RTI fatalities, with a staggering 67.8 per cent of deaths occurring there compared to 32.2 per cent in urban areas. Furthermore, the data suggests that open areas and residential zones might be particularly dangerous, with potentially higher fatality rates compared to other locations,” it said.

National highways, which have a share of only 2.1 per cent of the total road length in the country, account for the maximum number of road fatalities and were responsible for 45 lives per 100 km in 2022.

The three-day conference, hosted by IIT Delhi and co-sponsored by WHO, aims to address these issues through a comprehensive approach that includes safer infrastructure and protection for vulnerable road users. International experts are focusing on improving coordination, strengthening research, and integrating injury prevention with global health strategies to build a safer future for all.