Chandigarh, 26 January 2025: Chandigarh recorded a 21% rise in road accident fatalities in 2024, with deaths climbing from 64 in 2023 to 78, leaving families grieving and the city grappling with the grim effects of negligent driving, according to data shared by the Chandigarh Police.
Male victims accounted for a majority of the fatalities, with 66 men losing their lives compared to 12 women. The age group most affected was young adults (18-35 years), with 29 deaths, followed by middle-aged adults (36-55 years), which saw 25 fatalities. These two groups represented 69% of all deaths, their lives cut short in preventable tragedies.
Two-wheeler riders—scooterists and motorcyclists—were the hardest hit, with 31 fatalities.
Pedestrians followed closely, accounting for 27 deaths. Cars caused 21 of the fatal accidents, making them the leading contributors, while trucks were involved in 12 such incidents.
Rash and negligent driving emerged as the primary cause, often resulting in head-on collisions, vehicles overturning, or rear-end crashes. Red light violations and human errors further compounded the toll.
Some accidents were classified as non-FIR cases under Section 174 of the CrPC, involving single-vehicle crashes where drivers lost control and struck trees or dividers.
These incidents highlighted drivers’ inattention and lack of caution. In Sector 10, for instance, a motorcyclist lost their life when a car door was carelessly opened, underscoring the fatal impact of minor human errors.
Chandigarh SSP (Traffic) Sumer Pratap Singh addressed the concerning statistics, noting, “The rise in fatal accidents can be seen in cases where single vehicles were involved. Human error and speeding were major contributors. Drivers often lose control, suddenly change lanes, or hit pedestrians and cyclists from behind. Speeding remains the leading cause of road accident deaths in the city.”
He further remarked on the challenges posed by increasing vehicle density. “While the city’s road infrastructure remains unchanged, rising traffic congestion has escalated accident rates. The traffic department evaluates accident-prone areas to implement remedial and engineering measures, but growing pressure on roads continues to pose significant challenges.”
Efforts to curb the accidents include awareness campaigns by the traffic department to promote careful driving.
However, Singh acknowledged that addressing the dual issues of human error and infrastructural limitations remains a complex task for the administration.
