NEW DELHI: At least six out of every ten road crash victims in India in 2024 were two-wheeler riders or pedestrians, according to the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). An analysis of four years of data reveals a consistent increase in both the proportion and absolute numbers of two-wheeler riders and pedestrians killed in road accidents, even as the government focuses on enhancing car safety.
Key Findings from NCRB Data
The NCRB data for 2024 indicates that more than 1.1 lakh deaths—64 percent of the total 1.75 lakh road fatalities—were among two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. Notably, the share of pedestrians killed in road crashes has now surpassed that of car occupants, making pedestrians the second most affected category of road users after two-wheeler riders. This trend underscores the low priority given to pedestrian safety in the development of India's road network.
Shifting Trends in Road Fatalities
In 2021, car occupants accounted for 15.1 percent of road deaths (23,531 fatalities), the second-highest share. However, in 2022, the number of pedestrians killed reached 24,742, exceeding car occupant deaths, and this pattern has persisted over the past three years. By 2024, pedestrian fatalities stood at 25,769, second only to two-wheeler rider deaths, which numbered 84,599. Road safety experts worldwide, including in India, have urged policymakers to prioritize the safety of motorized two-wheelers, which remain the most affordable and convenient mode of private transport for millions. Two-wheelers account for nearly three-fourths of all vehicles in the country.
Regional and Contributing Factors
Maximum deaths due to two-wheeler crashes were reported in Tamil Nadu (11,786) and Uttar Pradesh (8,575). According to the report, overspeeding was the leading cause of road crashes, contributing to 61.2 percent of incidents and accounting for just over one lakh fatalities. Dangerous and careless driving or overtaking claimed 46,132 lives. Road-wise classification of crash data shows that National Highways and State Highways accounted for around one lakh fatalities, or 58 percent of all deaths in 2024.
These findings highlight an urgent need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable road users, particularly two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, who bear a disproportionate burden of road crash fatalities.
