Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Negligence by drivers has emerged as the leading cause of the rising number of road accidents in Kerala. According to an assessment by the Road Safety Authority, reckless driving, violation of traffic rules, and inadequate road infrastructure are among the main contributors to the increasing accident rate.

Nine key reasons identified

The authorities have outlined nine major factors contributing to the surge in road mishaps across the state:

  1. Speeding without understanding the vehicle or the road
  2. Ignoring safety measures like seat belts and helmets, and violating speed limits
  3. Driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicants
  4. Using mobile phones while driving
  5. Crossing roads carelessly while speaking on mobile phones
  6. Failing to dim headlights at night
  7. Driving for long hours without taking breaks
  8. Technical malfunctions in vehicles
  9. Poor lighting and the absence of proper signals on roads

Fewer deaths despite more accidents

The government data also indicates that although the number of accidents has increased, fatalities have slightly declined since the introduction of AI cameras across the state.

Yearly road accident deaths:

  • 2021- 3,429
  • 2022- 4,317
  • 2023- 4,080
  • 2024- 3,875

Total road accidents:

  • 2021- 33,296
  • 2022- 43,910
  • 2023- 48,091
  • 2024- 48,841

Road safety plan awaits implementation

To tackle the growing crisis, the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has drafted a Road Safety Action Plan aimed at cutting road accidents by 50 per cent by 2030. The plan was submitted in February to the Police Department, Motor Vehicles Department, and Public Works Department for review and feedback.