Accidents on National Highways Decline by 11% in 2025
In a significant step towards improving road safety, the number of accidents and fatalities on India's National Highways (NHs) has decreased by over 11% in 2025. This encouraging trend was highlighted in the data shared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in the Lok Sabha. The total recorded accidents on NHs stood at 1,34,307, with fatalities at 57,482, marking a notable decline from the previous year.
The reduction in road accidents, particularly on NHs, is a welcome change. Historically, NHs have accounted for more than 36% of road fatalities despite comprising only 2.3% of the total road network. The drop in numbers for 2025 is the first such decline observed in the last three years. In 2024, there were 1,50,958 accidents resulting in 64,772 fatalities. The data indicates that the proactive measures taken by various states have started to yield real results.
Uttar Pradesh emerged as a leader in reducing fatalities, with a drop from 9,560 in 2024 to 6,973 in 2025. Madhya Pradesh followed closely, with a reduction of 1,762 deaths. Other states like Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana also contributed to the overall decline in fatalities by a substantial margin. The collective efforts of these states reflect a focused approach to enhancing road safety.
However, the statistics also reveal that some states, including Gujarat and Jharkhand, reported an increase in both accidents and fatalities compared to 2024. In Gujarat, accidents rose from 3,519 to 3,944, while Jharkhand saw a slight increase in fatalities from 1,686 to 1,783. Such trends underscore the need for sustained attention to road safety measures across all states.
India currently holds the unfortunate distinction of leading the world in annual road accident fatalities. It is imperative to continue implementing effective measures to address this issue. The MoRTH has adopted a multi-pronged strategy focusing on education, road and vehicle engineering, rigorous enforcement, and emergency care to curb accidents on NHs.
As the data indicates progress, it is essential for all stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society, and citizens, to work together towards making India's roads safer for everyone.
