Mumbai: Fatalities in road-related crashes across Maharashtra increased by 23% in six years from 12,788 deaths in 2019 to 15,715 deaths in 2024, according to a report released by the highway police. Nearly 45% of all ‘black spots’ were found in Mumbai, Nashik Rural, Dhule, Beed and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar combined in 2024. Mumbai also had the notorious distinction of reporting the maximum pedestrian deaths (185) in 2024 and the highest number of total crashes (2,604), which include minor collisions.Overall, vulnerable road users like two- and three-wheeler occupants constituted more than half of total fatalities in the state in 2024. Taking age and gender into consideration, men aged between 35 and 45 were impacted the most in fatal crashes. Speeding was the leading cause (71%) for fatal crashes in the same year.A roadside observation study on speed conducted at 30 locations across Maharashtra by Johns Hopkins University, under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety in March 2024, had shown that SUVs had the highest average speed (64kmph) among all vehicles. The study, which partnered with IIT-Bombay and was carried out between 6.30pm and 7pm, also showed that speeding was most common in zones that had low speed limits marked. “Periodic speed monitoring should be implemented on major high-risk roads. Deployment of speed detection and enforcement technologies should be increased,” the highway police’s crash report recommended. It also underscored the need to have a mechanism to ensure timely payment of e-challans to strengthen deterrence.The report further showed that fatalities were most prevalent on local and collector roads (over 40%) as compared to national highways and state highways in 2024. Among impacting vehicles, the report disclosed that 27% of pedestrian deaths were caused due to collisions with cars, taxis, vans, and light motor vehicles, while 30% of two-wheeler rider deaths were caused due to collisions with other motorcyclists. “It is crucial to build and develop safer roads for vulnerable road users specifically targeting speed reduction measures, safe pedestrian infrastructure and motorcyclist safety. Clasped helmet use must be strictly enforced,” the report recommended. The months of May and December had the highest numbers of fatal and non-fatal crashes in 2023 and 2024, potentially due to holidays and festive season, the report added.
