Road accidents are increasing; excessive speed is the main cause.

October 16, 2026 admin

Introductory Memo: Kerala is witnessing a rise in road accidents despite a decline in fatalities, ranking fourth in the country in the number of road accidents. The number of deaths decreased from 4,317 in 2022 to 3,733 in 2025, while injuries increased from 49,307 to 56,922 during the same period. Over speeding accounts for nearly half of all accidents, with the highest number occurring between 6 PM and 9 PM. Reckless driving, alcohol and drug consumption, driver distraction, and illegal parking are other major causes, with two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, particularly those above 60 years, being the most vulnerable. Ernakulam Rural, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram Rural report the highest number of accidents, while Malappuram records the most fatalities. The rapid increase in vehicle ownership and the expansion of roads have further heightened safety concerns. Improved ambulance and hospital facilities, compulsory helmets, AI cameras, and stricter traffic enforcement have contributed to reducing fatalities. Meanwhile, the government aims to complete National Highway 66 by 2028 and plans to strengthen road safety through district-level committees, warning signs, reflectors, pedestrian overpasses, improved safety at accident-prone locations, and stricter monitoring of over speeding and illegal parking. Experts stress that timely medical assistance to accident victims and effective enforcement of traffic regulations are essential to save lives.

Analytical view/ Analysis: Kerala ranks fourth nationwide for road accidents—predominantly driven by over speeding, peak-hour traffic between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and high vehicle density—prompting authorities to enforce strict surveillance like AI cameras while planning comprehensive safety upgrades and district-level committees ahead of the National Highway 66 completion by 2028.

Three young people died in a tragic road accident in the early hours of Sunday, October 11, on Nedumbassery Kochi Airport Road. A speeding Mini Cooper luxury car rammed into the rear of the scooter they were travelling on. The deceased were Devika (21, Wayanad), Gopika (22, Palakkad), and Ijaz (21, Karnataka). The incident occurred at around 1:45 AM on Sunday. The car, which went out of control, hit the scooter, throwing it away and dragging it for a distance of approximately 100 metres. Devika and Gopika died at the scene, while Ijaz died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. The car was driven by a 19-year-old college student named Suhail Sajeev. The police arrested the young man. Preliminary tests have confirmed that the accused was driving under the influence of alcohol. Suhail was driving the car at a speed of 140 km/h. The police have registered a case against him for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Road accidents are increasing in Kerala. Although fatalities have decreased compared to last year, the number of accidents has risen. Kerala has become the fourth state with the highest number of accidents. Tamil Nadu records the highest number of road accidents, while Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of fatalities due to road accidents. Madhya Pradesh and Kerala follow closely behind in third and fourth positions, respectively.

In 2022, 4,317 people lost their lives in road accidents in Kerala, which decreased to 3,733 by 2025. The number of injured individuals was 49,307 in 2022, rising to 56,922 in 2025. In 2020, there were 27,877 accidents, resulting in 2,979 deaths and 30,510 injuries. By July 2026, Kerala recorded 31,531 road accidents, with 2,319 deaths and 36,116 injuries. A study conducted by the police force indicates that 46 percent of road accidents in Kerala are caused by over speeding. The peak time for road accidents in the state is between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, accounting for 21% (or one-fifth) of all accidents in the state. Police cite reckless driving, consumption of alcohol and drugs, driver distraction, and illegal parking as the primary causes of accidents. Police records show that 10 to 11 people lose their lives in road accidents in Kerala every day.

Ernakulam Rural, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram Rural are the top police districts for road accidents, while Malappuram leads in fatalities. Ernakulam Rural records between 4,400 and 4,600 accidents annually, Alappuzha records 3,930, and Thiruvananthapuram records 3,500. Wayanad, Kasaragod, and Idukki districts record the lowest number of road accidents. Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians are the most frequent victims of road accidents, with pedestrians over the age of 60 being the most vulnerable. Police records state that half of all traffic accidents in Kerala are caused by over speeding. Vehicle density is also high in the state; 24.2% of families in Kerala own cars, 58.2% own two-wheelers, and 24.5% own bicycles. Maharashtra has the highest number of vehicles in the country with 53 million, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 48 million, and Tamil Nadu with 36 million. Relative to population, Gujarat has the highest vehicle concentration with 19.2 million vehicles. Kerala has a total of 19.2 million vehicles, averaging 425 vehicles per 1,000 people, with Thiruvananthapuram having the highest number of vehicles, followed by Kozhikode and Ernakulam.

Last year, 946,000 new vehicles hit the roads in Kerala, marking a 16.6% increase. The massive surge in vehicle numbers, coupled with road expansion, further increases the risk of accidents. The decline in fatalities is attributed to the central government’s decision that taking injured individuals to the hospital will not invite legal complications, along with improved hospital and ambulance facilities. Even in Kerala, which has a high literacy rate, victims often die on roads without receiving timely treatment. Experts point out that if the public is ready to take accident victims to hospitals immediately, many lives can be saved. Police also note that making helmets compulsory and enforcing stricter regulations and fines through AI cameras have helped reduce accident fatalities. Transport experts warn that as National Highway 66 is completed and enables faster vehicle movement, stronger regulatory systems must be implemented; otherwise, the risk of lives lost on the roads will increase.

Meanwhile, Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer announced that the construction of National Highway 66 will be completed by 2028. To eliminate accidents on national highways, a special committee and system will be established at the district level under the leadership of district collectors. Warning signs and reflector light systems will soon be installed in completed and under-construction areas along national highways. Measures will be taken to avoid illegal parking, and safety arrangements at accident-prone blind corners will be completed in a timely manner. Passenger facilities will be set up along the highways, and overpasses for pedestrians will be constructed at key locations and near schools. Monitoring and checks against over speeding and illegal parking will be intensified, and measures will be taken to curb over speeding during nighttime’s.

Reference

News at a Glance: Road accidents in Kerala and India is increasing. Tamilnadu is first in accidents and UP in fatalities.

Academic Insight: The quality of roads improved well. But the rate of accidents is also increasing. 46% of the accidents are due to over speed. Majority of the accidents happened between 6 pm and 9 pm. These aspects may be studied or researched

Social Media Pulse: Accidents and incidents are viral

On Our Reading List: Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Indian express, Times of India, Deshabhimani, Janambhumi

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