Rising Fatalities from Accidents in India 2023 NCRB Report

Overview

Rising Fatalities from Accidents in India 2023 NCRB Report: The Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) 2023 Report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has revealed a notable increase in accident-related deaths in India. Covering data from 2022 to 2023, the report underlines the alarming rise in road fatalities and other accidental causes.

Increase in Accidental Deaths

The total number of accidental deaths rose to 4,44,104 in 2023, up from 4,30,504 in 2022. Road accidents remained the leading cause, accounting for 44.6% of all accidental deaths. Sudden deaths (14.3%) and drowning (8.5%) were other significant contributors.

Static GK fact: The NCRB functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is headquartered in New Delhi.

Road Accidents and Fatalities

India recorded 4,64,029 road accidents in 2023, a rise from 4,46,768 in 2022. Fatalities increased by 1.6%, reaching 1,73,826 deaths. Overspeeding contributed to 61.4% of deaths, while dangerous driving and overtaking caused 23.7%. Factors like poor weather, intoxicated driving, and animal crossings also added to casualties.

Static GK Tip: India is home to one of the largest road networks in the world, spanning over 63 lakh km.

Major Accident Spots

Most accidents occurred near residential areas (30.2%) and schools or colleges (7.1%), indicating a high risk in everyday spaces. States with the highest traffic accident deaths included Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Uniquely, in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jharkhand, Punjab, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, accidents caused more deaths than injuries.

Railway and Natural Causes

The report noted 24,678 railway accidents, leading to 21,803 deaths in 2023. Under natural causes, lightning accounted for 6,444 deaths (39.7%), while heat and sunstroke caused 12.5% of deaths.

Static GK fact: Lightning is officially classified as a “state-specific disaster” in 18 states of India.

Urban Accidents in Mega Cities

Accidental deaths in 53 mega cities stood significantly higher than the national average, with a rate of 41.0 compared to 31.9. The top affected cities included Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Jaipur, highlighting urban traffic congestion and unsafe mobility practices.

Broader Implications

The findings of the NCRB report highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety measures, improved urban traffic planning, and awareness campaigns against risky driving behaviors. With fatalities rising despite infrastructure development, accident prevention remains a critical challenge for Indian policymakers.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Rising Fatalities from Accidents in India 2023 NCRB Report: