India recorded 5,13,474 road accidents and 1,83,434 fatalities in 2025. By 27 July 2026, the country had recorded 2,96,447 road accidents and 1,01,139 fatalities, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The 2025 and 2026 figures are based on data from the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal.
Road accidents in India remain a major road-safety concern, with unsafe driving, road conditions and pedestrian safety continuing to contribute to fatalities. The scale of these crashes also has implications for motor insurance, particularly through vehicle damage, injuries and third-party liabilities.
India Road Accident Trends: 2015-2026
The table below shows India's road accident and fatality figures over the latest available years.
| Year | Total Road Accidents | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5,01,423 | 1,46,133 |
| 2021 | 4,12,432 | 1,53,972 |
| 2022 | 4,61,312 | 1,68,491 |
| 2023 | 4,80,583 | 1,72,890 |
| 2024 | 4,87,707 | 1,77,175 |
| 2025 | 5,13,474 | 1,83,434 |
| 2026 (up to 27 July) | 2,96,447 | 1,01,139 |
Source: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1939, answered 30 July 2026.
What the numbers show
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2015-2025
Road accidents increased by 2.40%, from 5,01,423 to 5,13,474.
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2015-2025
Fatalities increased by 25.53%, from 1,46,133 to 1,83,434.
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2024-2025
Road accidents increased by 5.28%, while fatalities rose by 3.53%.
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Accident-fatality relationship
In 2025, there were around 35.7 fatalities for every 100 reported accidents. For 2026 up to 27 July, the figure stood at around 34.1 fatalities per 100 accidents.
The decade-long increase in fatalities was therefore much steeper than the increase in the number of reported accidents. Fatalities rose by more than 10 times the percentage increase in accidents between 2015 and 2025.
State-wise Road Accident and Fatality Data
The latest government data shows a clear difference between states with the highest number of crashes and those with the highest number of fatalities.
States with the Highest Road Accidents
| Rank | State | Road Accidents up to 27 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamil Nadu | 39,666 |
| 2 | Madhya Pradesh | 34,947 |
| 3 | Kerala | 29,494 |
| 4 | Uttar Pradesh | 26,718 |
| 5 | Karnataka | 24,929 |
| 6 | Maharashtra | 19,229 |
| 7 | Telangana | 16,179 |
| 8 | Gujarat | 16,112 |
| 9 | Rajasthan | 14,522 |
| 10 | Andhra Pradesh | 9,910 |
Source: MoRTH, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1939, Annexure I.
Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of road accidents, with 39,666 crashes, while Madhya Pradesh followed with 34,947.
States with the Highest Road Accident Fatalities
| Rank | State | Fatalities up to 27 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 14,794 |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 10,298 |
| 3 | Maharashtra | 9,279 |
| 4 | Madhya Pradesh | 8,098 |
| 5 | Rajasthan | 6,893 |
| 6 | Bihar | 6,249 |
| 7 | Karnataka | 6,935 |
| 8 | Gujarat | 4,763 |
| 9 | Telangana | 4,452 |
| 10 | Andhra Pradesh | 4,510 |
Source: MoRTH, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1939, Annexure I.
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of fatalities, even though Tamil Nadu had the highest number of accidents. This difference highlights the gap between accident frequency and accident severity.
National Highways and Expressways: Accident and Fatality Share
National Highways continue to account for a substantial share of India's road deaths.
In the separate parliamentary data covering National Highways, including expressways, 77,234 accidents and 62,122 fatalities were reported up to 27 July 2026. National Highway fatalities represented around 35% of all road accident deaths recorded during the period.
Among the states reported in the National Highway data:
| Rank | State | National Highway Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 7,573 |
| 2 | Karnataka | 4,372 |
| 3 | Maharashtra | 3,894 |
| 4 | Tamil Nadu | 3,520 |
The concentration of fatalities on National Highways and expressways highlights the risks associated with high-speed traffic corridors.
Source: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, parliamentary reply on National Highway road accidents and fatalities, July 2026.
Major Driver-Fault Factors Behind Road Crashes
The Ministry classifies road accidents according to traffic-rule violations and other contributing factors.
| Traffic-rule violation | Accidents up to 27 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Overspeeding | 46,075 |
| Driving on wrong side/lane indiscipline | 2,397 |
| Drunken driving/consumption of alcohol or drugs | 1,443 |
| Jumping red lights | 193 |
| Use of mobile phone | 84 |
Source: MoRTH, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1939, Table 1.
Overspeeding was the leading specified traffic-rule violation, accounting for 46,075 accidents, or around 15.54% of all accidents recorded up to 27 July 2026.
The Ministry's data also shows a wider role for driver distraction and road conditions:
| Other contributing factor | Accidents up to 27 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Distraction to driver | 1,51,526 |
| Accident due to road condition | 29,628 |
| Potholes | 100 |
These figures are recorded through e-DAR, with distraction and road-condition data entered by State police officials and pothole data entered by State Highway officials.
Pedestrian Deaths in Road Accidents
Pedestrian fatalities accounted for 24,446 deaths up to 27 July 2026, representing around 24.17% of all road accident fatalities recorded during the period.
| Rank | State | Pedestrian Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bihar | 2,423 |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 2,328 |
| 3 | Maharashtra | 2,002 |
| 4 | Rajasthan | 1,513 |
| 5 | Madhya Pradesh | 1,489 |
Source: MoRTH, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1939, Annexure II.
Bihar recorded the highest number of pedestrian deaths, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Driver Behaviour and Its Impact on Motor Insurance Claims
Driver behaviour is a significant factor in road accidents. Overspeeding alone was linked to more than 46,000 accidents in the first seven months of 2026.
For motor insurance, accident frequency and severity can affect the financial impact of a crash:
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Vehicle damage
Accidents can result in repair or replacement costs.
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Third-party liability
Injuries, deaths or property damage involving another party can lead to third-party claims.
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Injury-related costs
Serious crashes can result in substantial medical and compensation-related expenses.
The high volume of Indian road accidents therefore has implications for both road users and insurers.
Government Initiatives to Reduce Road Accidents and Help Victims
The Government of India follows a road-safety strategy based on the 4Es: Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Emergency Care.
PM-RAHAT Scheme
The Prime Minister - Road Accident Victims' Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT) Scheme was notified on 5 May 2025, with detailed operational guidelines issued on 4 June 2025.
The scheme provides cashless treatment to eligible road accident victims and covers:
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Treatment coverage
Treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim
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Treatment duration
Treatment for up to 7 days
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Road coverage
Accidents occurring on any category of road
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Non-life-threatening cases
Stabilisation treatment for up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases
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Life-threatening cases
Stabilisation treatment for up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases
The scheme also connects the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) platform with the healthcare system to support the processing of accident-related treatment.
Rah-Veer Scheme for Good Samaritans
The Rah-Veer scheme encourages people to help road accident victims and transport them to hospital during the critical period after a crash.
The reward for eligible Good Samaritans was increased from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000. The scheme also provides protection to people who assist victims in good faith.
Black Spot and Black Corridor Rectification
The government uses accident data to identify high-risk stretches of road. Based on e-DAR data from 2023 to 2025, 6,358 black corridors have been identified using AI-based tools developed by IIT Kanpur.
Measures for rectification include:
Road markings and signages
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Crash barriers
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Road studs and delineators
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Highway lighting
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Closure of unauthorised median openings
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Traffic-calming measures
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Junction improvements
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Underpasses and overpasses
Electronic Monitoring and Enforcement
Electronic enforcement devices are being deployed on high-risk and high-density corridors on National Highways and State Highways, as well as critical junctions in major cities.
The government has also amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to strengthen the technology-driven e-Challan system, including online challan payments, automated notifications and online mechanisms for challenging challans.
Road Engineering and Safety Audits
Road Safety Audits are mandatory for National Highways at different stages, including design, construction, operation and maintenance.
The government also uses e-DAR as a central repository for reporting and analysing road accident data and has issued guidelines for improved signage on expressways and National Highways.
Driver Training and Road Safety Awareness
The government administers schemes supporting Institutes of Driving Training & Research (IDTRs), Regional Driving Training Centres (RDTCs) and Driving Training Centres (DTCs).
It also runs road-safety awareness programmes and observes National Road Safety Month to promote safer driving and compliance with traffic rules.
Conclusion
India's road accident data shows that fatalities have risen much faster than accident numbers over the past decade. The latest figures also highlight the continuing role of unsafe driving and pedestrian risk in road deaths. With road-safety measures expanding across enforcement, infrastructure and emergency care, reducing both accident frequency and severity remains a key priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How have road accident fatalities in India changed over the last decade?
Road accident fatalities increased from 1,46,133 in 2015 to 1,83,434 in 2025, a rise of 25.53%. Over the same period, the number of reported accidents increased by 2.40%.
How many road accidents were recorded in India in 2026?
India recorded 2,96,447 road accidents up to 27 July 2026, according to MoRTH data.
How many people died in road accidents in India in 2026?
A total of 1,01,139 fatalities were recorded in road accidents up to 27 July 2026.
Which state recorded the highest number of road accidents in 2026?
Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of road accidents, with 39,666 crashes up to 27 July 2026.
Which state recorded the highest number of road accident deaths in 2026?
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 14,794 deaths up to 27 July 2026.
What is the leading cause of road accidents in India?
Among the specified traffic-rule violations, overspeeding was the leading factor, linked to 46,075 accidents up to 27 July 2026.
How many pedestrian deaths were recorded in 2026?
India recorded 24,446 pedestrian fatalities up to 27 July 2026. Bihar recorded the highest number at 2,423, followed by Tamil Nadu at 2,328 and Maharashtra at 2,002.
Why is road accident data important for motor insurance?
Road accidents can result in vehicle damage, injuries, deaths and third-party liabilities. Motor insurance can help cover eligible financial losses arising from covered accidents.
Sources:
1. Primary Source
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India: Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1939, Road Accidents, Fatalities and Road Safety, answered 30 July 2026. The reply contains the 2021-2025 and 2026 data up to 27 July 2026, state-wise accident and fatality figures, pedestrian data, traffic-rule violations and road-safety initiatives.
2. Government sources
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, PIB: PM-RAHAT: Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, PIB: PM-RAHAT implementation and stakeholder update
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, PIB: Road safety, Rah-Veer and electronic enforcement measures
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, PIB: Year End Review 2025: Road safety and black spot measures
