A comprehensive roadside observation study conducted in Maharashtra from December 2022 to February 2025 has revealed alarming statistics regarding road safety. According to the study, correct helmet usage among motorcyclists was as low as 19 per cent, while among pillion riders it was almost negligible at 4 per cent. Speeding was most frequently observed among ride-share vehicles, accounting for 23 per cent of violations, compared to government and private vehicles, taxis, and commercial vehicles.
Study Methodology and Scope
The study was conducted by the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit, part of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. It was recently published online by the Maharashtra highway police. For the speed analysis, a total of 7.75 lakh observations were made during baseline and across five additional observation rounds, along with three special surveys conducted in December 2023, March 2024, and August 2024.
Speeding Patterns
Speeding was found to be higher on state highways (21 per cent) and national highways (15 per cent) compared to expressways. By vehicle type, speeding was more frequent in sedans (25 per cent), SUVs (21 per cent), and motorcycles (16 per cent) than other vehicles. The study recommended more visible and widespread enforcement, reforming the e-challan system to ensure timely issuance and follow-up on penalties, establishing clear speed management guidelines for all vehicle types, and implementing speed calming measures such as speed bumps, rumble strips, safe speed signage, and designation of low-speed areas to protect vulnerable road users.
Helmet Use Findings
For the helmet use study, 2.17 lakh observations were performed. Correct helmet use was highest in major urban areas (24 per cent), followed by small towns (21 per cent), and lowest in rural areas (10 per cent). By road type, correct helmet use was lowest on arterial roads (12 per cent), followed by highways (17 per cent), and highest on collector and local roads (30 per cent). Recommendations included enforcement among both riders and pillion passengers, and implementing mass media campaigns in rural areas.
Seat-Belt and Child Restraint Use
For the seat-belt and child restraint use study, 1.75 lakh observations were performed. Use of child restraints for minors below 12 years was found to be 0 per cent. Seat-belt use was much lower among passengers (13 per cent) compared to drivers (41 per cent). Male drivers (40 per cent) and passengers (11 per cent) wore seat-belts less frequently than female drivers (71 per cent) and female passengers (17 per cent). Seat-belt use was lowest among commercial vehicles (16 per cent) and highest among taxis (51 per cent). Recommendations included enhancing enforcement of age-appropriate child restraint use and monitoring all enforcement and mass media campaigns to assess their effectiveness.
Road Crash Fatalities in Maharashtra
In 2025, 15,549 people were killed in road crashes and 32,147 were injured in Maharashtra, highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
