MP News: Road Safety Drives On, But Deaths Climb
**Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Road Accident Fatalities on the Rise Despite Safety Awareness Programmes**
Despite multiple road safety awareness programmes being conducted across Madhya Pradesh, the state has witnessed a disturbing increase in road accident fatalities. In 2024, around 1,000 more people lost their lives on the roads compared to 2023.
### Rising Fatalities in Madhya Pradesh
– **2024:** 14,791 deaths
– **2023:** 13,798 deaths
This means that while over 37 people died daily in accidents in 2023, the figure has risen to over 40 deaths per day in 2024. The upward trend is concerning, with a total of 65,214 fatalities recorded over the past five years.
### Accident Statistics Over the Past Five Years
| Year | Accidents | Injured | Deaths |
|——-|————|———-|———|
| 2024 | 56,669 | 58,202 | 14,791 |
| 2023 | 55,327 | 55,769 | 13,798 |
| 2022 | 54,432 | 55,168 | 13,427 |
| 2021 | 48,877 | 48,956 | 12,057 |
| 2020 | 45,266 | 46,456 | 11,141 |
Over the past five years, a total of 2,60,571 accidents were reported, resulting in 2,64,551 injuries and 65,214 fatalities.
### Rural Areas More Accident-Prone
Research by the Police Training and Research Institute (PTRI) shows that rural areas in Madhya Pradesh experience more accidents and deaths compared to urban centers. Among all districts, **Indore rural** tops the list for both the number of accidents and fatalities.
### District-wise Accident and Fatality Data (2024)
| Place | Accidents | Injured | Deaths |
|—————|———–|———|——–|
| Indore (Rural)| 7,971 | 8,942 | 2,425 |
| Jabalpur | 8,603 | 10,501 | 2,035 |
| Ujjain | 6,503 | 6,442 | 1,536 |
| Rewa | 5,406 | 4,682 | 1,690 |
| Sagar | 4,786 | 5,080 | 1,568 |
| Gwalior | 4,198 | 3,876 | 1,049 |
| Bhopal | 2,900 | 2,223 | 235 |
| Bhopal (Rural)| 3,627 | 3,633 | 945 |
| Narmadapuram | 3,167 | 3,307 | 998 |
| Chambal | 2,399 | 2,408 | 762 |
| Balaghat | 2,151 | 2,955 | 679 |
| Shahdol | 1,470 | 1,547 | 570 |
| Indore (City) | 3,488 | 2,606 | 290 |
### Highlights from the Data
– **Indore Rural** witnessed the highest fatalities with 2,425 deaths from 7,971 reported accidents.
– **Jabalpur** recorded 2,035 deaths in 8,603 accidents.
– **Rewa, Ujjain, and Sagar** also reported high fatalities, each with over 1,500 deaths.
– Urban centers such as Bhopal and Indore city had fewer deaths comparatively, but the injuries remain high.
### Conclusion
The data clearly indicates a steady rise in both the number of accidents and fatalities year after year in Madhya Pradesh. The increased fatalities in rural areas highlight the critical need for enhanced road safety measures, infrastructure improvements, and continued awareness campaigns, especially targeting high-risk districts like Indore rural and Jabalpur.
Authorities are urged to intensify efforts to mitigate these alarming trends and ensure road safety for all residents of Madhya Pradesh.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-road-safety-drives-on-but-deaths-climb
