Fatal crashes up 22% last yr, pedestrians most vulnerable

The number of fatal road accidents saw a 22 per cent rise last year. A total of 81 lives were lost in 78 fatal crashes on city roads in 2024, up from 67 deaths in 64 accidents in the preceding year.

It marks a departure from the positive trend registered in 2023, when road mishap fatalities went down from 83 in 79 accidents to 67 in 64 crashes in 2022. This year, 69 of the 81 victims were men and the remaining 12 were women, according to the traffic police data.

Pedestrians remained the most vulnerable, accounting for 33 per cent of the total fatalities. A total of 27 pedestrians lost their lives in 2024, followed by other vulnerable groups, including cyclists and rehri-pullers at seven and two deaths, respectively.

At 28 deaths (42 per cent) and 23 (28 per cent) of the total fatalities, pedestrians had been the most at risk in 2023 and 2022, respectively, as well.

The primary reason behind a majority of accidents was reckless and negligent driving.

The East Division, encompassing police stations in Sector 19, the Industrial Area (Phase 1 and 2), Mani Majra, Mauli Jagran, and the IT Park emerged as the most accident-prone zone, reporting 33 deaths. It was followed by the Central Division, which includes police stations in Sectors 3, 11, 17 and Sarangpur, with 25 fatalities. The South-West Division, covering Sectors 36, 39 and Maloya, recorded 13 deaths, while the South-East Division reported 10 fatalities.

More specifically, the area that falls within the jurisdiction of the Sector 11 police station saw the highest number of fatalities at 10, followed closely by Sectors 3 and 26, which reported eight deaths each.

Meanwhile, a total of 100 non-fatal accidents had been reported in the city till December 25, 2024.

RK Garg, president of Second Innings Association, emphasised an urgent need for public awareness campaigns to promote road safety. “The traffic police should devise various methods to instil discipline among commuters,” he added.

Accidents have claimed four lives by January 3 this year. In a bid to enhance road safety awareness, UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had launched a traffic and road safety awareness van earlier in the week. Equipped with interactive displays, educational materials and safety demonstrations, the van will visit schools, busy intersections and residential areas across the city, spreading essential information about road safety practices.