Gujarat Road Safety Crisis: 36,626 Lives Lost in Five Years

Over the past five years, Gujarat has faced a staggering toll from road accidents, with 36,626 fatalities recorded, according to a 2022 report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways . The state ranks tenth in India for road accident deaths, contributing 3.4% to the national total of 461,312 accidents, which claimed 168,491 lives in 2022 alone. In Gujarat, an average of 43 accidents occurred daily, resulting in 21 deaths each day.

The report highlights overspeeding as a leading cause, accounting for 7,236 of the 7,618 road accident deaths in Gujarat in 2022, with 6,999 victims dying at the scene. Hit-and-run incidents were also significant, with 2,209 cases leading to 1,429 fatalities. Among vehicle types, two-wheeler riders faced the highest risk, with 3,381 deaths, followed by 1,045 car drivers, 886 rickshaw drivers, 645 truck drivers, and 109 bus passengers. Cyclists were not spared, with 161 deaths and 128 severe injuries reported.

Non-compliance with safety measures exacerbated the crisis. In 2022, 2,470 individuals who died in accidents were not wearing helmets, including 1,814 drivers and 65 pillion riders. Additionally, 819 deaths were linked to the failure to wear seatbelts, with 495 drivers and 396 passengers among the victims. These figures underscore a critical need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.

The data also reveals that 57.4% of fatalities (4,374) occurred on state and national highways, while 42.6% (3,254) took place on urban or rural roads. The report emphasizes the urgency of addressing road safety in Gujarat, where the rising death toll reflects persistent challenges in traffic management and driver behavior.