Himachal Sees 30% Drop in Road Accident Deaths

by The_unmuteenglish

Shimla, 30 January 2025: Himachal Pradesh has recorded a 30% decline in road accident fatalities over the past five years, moving toward the United Nations’ global target of reducing road deaths and injuries by 50%, according to a report by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

The report states that 806 people lost their lives in road accidents across the state in 2024, down from 1,146 in 2019.

The trend aligns with broader efforts to improve road safety, though nationwide figures show an alarming rise in fatalities.

Across India, road accident deaths surged by nearly 20%, with 1,80,000 fatalities reported in 2024 compared to 1,51,113 in 2019.

Himachal Pradesh is among the few states to see a notable decline. Kerala also reported progress, with road fatalities dropping by 16%, from 4,440 deaths in 2019 to 3,714 in 2024.

Vinod Kumar, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Tourism, and Railways, mentioned that multiple initiatives had been undertaken to reduce road deaths.

He noted that the TRL had acknowledged Himachal Pradesh Police and the World Bank for their efforts in implementing major road safety programs.

These include developing action plans, using the iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme) methodology, and strengthening enforcement measures.

Police records show a consistent decrease in road accidents in the state. From January 1 to November 30, 2024, Himachal reported 1,978 accidents, compared to 2,255 in 2023. In previous years, 2,592 accidents were recorded in 2022, 2,408 in 2021, 2,236 in 2020, and 2,896 in 2019.

Despite the decline in fatalities in Himachal and Kerala, the overall rise in road deaths nationwide underscores ongoing challenges in road safety enforcement and infrastructure improvements.

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