India — Data & Trends
Road Accident Statistics
Behind every number is a human life. These statistics from official sources show the scale of India's road safety crisis.
1,72,890
Deaths in 2023
Source: MoRTH Road Accidents in India 2023
4,80,583
Total Accidents
1,317 accidents per day
4,62,825
People Injured
1,268 injuries per day
474
Deaths Per Day
1 death every 3 minutes
Top Causes of Road Accidents
| Cause | Share | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Overspeeding | 68.1% | 1,17,682 |
| Driving on wrong side / lane indiscipline | 5.5% | 9,432 |
| Drunk driving / drugs | 2.1% | 3,674 |
| Using mobile phone | 1.7% | 2,884 |
| Jumping red light | 0.5% | 818 |
| Non-use of helmet | — | 54,568 (rider/pillion deaths) |
| Non-use of seatbelt | — | 16,025 (occupant deaths) |
Deaths by Vehicle Type
🏍️
44.8%
Two-wheelers
🚶
20.4%
Pedestrians
🚗
12.4%
Cars/Taxis/Vans
🚛
5.8%
Trucks/Lorries
🛺
3.6%
Auto-rickshaws
🚴
2.6%
Cyclists
🚌
2.3%
Buses
🚗
8.0%
Others
Top 10 States by Fatalities
| # | State | Deaths (2023) | Share of national deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 23,652 | 13.7% |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 18,347 | 10.6% |
| 3 | Maharashtra | 15,366 | 8.9% |
| 4 | Madhya Pradesh | 13,798 | 8.0% |
| 5 | Karnataka | 12,321 | 7.1% |
| 6 | Rajasthan | 11,762 | 6.8% |
| 7 | Bihar | 8,873 | 5.1% |
| 8 | Andhra Pradesh | 8,137 | 4.7% |
| 9 | Gujarat | 7,854 | 4.5% |
| 10 | Telangana | 7,660 | 4.4% |
Year-over-Year Trend
| Year | Deaths | Accidents | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,31,714 | 3,54,796 | COVID lockdowns |
| 2021 | 1,53,972 | 4,03,116 | |
| 2022 | 1,68,491 | 4,61,312 | |
| 2023 | 1,72,890 | 4,80,583 | Highest ever — MoRTH RAI 2023 |
India vs World
India has 1% of the world's vehicles but 11% of global road fatalities.
| Country | Deaths | Per 100k | Global Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1,72,890 | 12.4 | 11% |
| China | 61,703 | 4.3 | 4.1% |
| USA | 42,795 | 12.7 | 2.8% |
| Brazil | 33,813 | 15.7 | 2.2% |
| Indonesia | 25,266 | 9.2 | 1.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people die on Indian roads every year?
1,72,890 people died in road accidents in India in 2023 — the highest ever recorded, or about 474 deaths per day (1 death every 3 minutes). Source: MoRTH Road Accidents in India 2023.
What is the main cause of road accidents in India?
Overspeeding is the leading cause, responsible for 68.1% of all road accident deaths in 2023. Other major causes include wrong-side driving / lane indiscipline (5.5%), drunk driving (2.1%), and mobile phone use (1.7%).
Which state has the most road accident deaths?
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of road accident deaths (23,652), followed by Tamil Nadu (18,347) and Maharashtra (15,366) as per MoRTH Road Accidents in India 2023 data. Tamil Nadu records the most accidents (67,213).
How does India compare globally in road safety?
India accounts for about 11% of global road fatalities despite having only 1% of the world's vehicles. India has the highest number of road deaths in the world.
Which vehicle type is involved in the most fatal accidents?
Two-wheeler riders account for 44.8% of all road accident deaths, making them the most vulnerable road-user category. Pedestrians account for 20.4% and cars/taxis/vans for 12.4%.
Data sources: MoRTH Road Accidents in India 2023 · NCRB Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India · WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety