Hyderabad ranks as the third most accident-prone city in India, following Delhi and Chennai, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2024. Telangana recorded nearly 8,000 road deaths in 2023, a significant increase from 7,654 in 2022.
The state witnessed a total of 17,834 road accidents in 2023, resulting in 8,008 fatalities and 18,249 injuries. This represents a 3.2% rise in accidents and a 4.6% increase in deaths compared to the previous year.
Hyderabad city alone accounted for 337 fatalities and 848 injuries from 989 road accidents. The majority of fatalities in Telangana involved two-wheeler riders (3,688 deaths), followed by pedestrians (1,299 deaths) and car occupants (1,098 deaths).
Rash and negligent driving was identified as the primary cause of accidents, contributing to 42.8% of all incidents. Speeding was another major factor, responsible for 24.6% of accidents. Dangerous driving and overloading also contributed significantly.
Medchal-Malkajgiri district reported the highest number of road accidents (2,241) and fatalities (348) in the state. Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts followed with substantial numbers of accidents and deaths.
The NCRB data highlights a concerning trend of increasing road accidents and fatalities in Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad. Authorities are urged to focus on stricter enforcement of traffic rules, improved road infrastructure, and increased public awareness campaigns to address this issue and reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries. The report also emphasizes the vulnerability of two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, necessitating targeted safety measures for these road users.
