CHENNAI: In a sobering revelation, recent central government statistics have confirmed Tamil Nadu as the state with the highest number of road accidents in India for 2023, recording a staggering 67,213 incidents. The state also holds the second position for the highest number of road accident fatalities nationwide, with 18,347 lives lost in the same year. This data underscores a critical public safety crisis on Tamil Nadu’s roads, despite a marginal decrease in numbers to 67,153 accidents and 18,074 fatalities in 2024.

The problem is not new; Tamil Nadu has consistently reported the highest number of road accidents over the past five years. The alarming figures have intensified calls for comprehensive measures from traffic police and transport departments. Key factors identified behind the rising casualties include speeding, mobile phone use while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and failure to wear helmets. A study by the Highways Department further pinpoints undisciplined lane driving and obstruction of other vehicles as significant contributors to the escalating accident rates.

Chennai’s Deadly Corridors and State’s Most perilous Highways Revealed

Within the state capital, three specific road corridors have been identified as particularly deadly. The road from Moolakkad to Puzhal emerged as the most accident-prone, witnessing 132 accidents and 19 deaths last year. This was closely followed by the stretch on the East Coast Road from Injambakkam to Kottivakam, which saw 85 accidents and 19 fatalities. The GST Road from Kathipara to the airport recorded 14 accidents, resulting in 13 deaths, highlighting urgent need for targeted interventions in these areas.

Beyond the city, several state highways have become notorious for their high accident and fatality rates. The Kumuli Highway in Theni district is the most dangerous in Tamil Nadu, where 331 accidents led to 132 fatalities. Other deadly stretches include the road from Mathur to Sabariapuram in Pudukkottai district (266 accidents, 95 deaths), the Toll Plaza Andipatti to Kanavai Road in Madurai district (297 accidents, 77 deaths), and the Palaiyar Highway in Coimbatore district (331 accidents, 49 deaths). Social activists and safety experts are urging both authorities to implement stricter enforcement and infrastructure improvements, and the public to exercise greater caution and cooperation to reverse this distressing trend.