New Delhi: Delhi recorded the highest number of road accidents among 53 cities in the country for the third consecutive year in 2024, states National Crime Records Bureau’s data released on Wednesday.The figures mentioned in ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2024’ reveal a grim and persistent trend on the city’s roads, with 5,573 road accidents in 2024, leaving 4,718 people injured and claiming 1,551 lives.Delhi had similarly topped the list in 2023 with 5,715 accidents, 4,880 injuries and 1,457 deaths. In 2022, too, the highest number of road accidents was recorded here with 5,387 cases.While the number of accidents in Delhi saw a marginal decline from 2023 to 2024, fatalities rose from 1,457 to 1,551.The figures also show that Delhi’s death toll remains disproportionately high compared to other cities. Hyderabad, despite recording nearly 3,800 accidents, saw 301 deaths — less than one-fifth of Delhi’s fatalities. Even Bengaluru, whose accident numbers were relatively close to Delhi, recorded substantially fewer deaths.In crashes involving SUVs, cars and jeeps, Delhi again ranked first with 1,112 injuries and 288 deaths. Private vehicle-linked crashes continue to form a major portion of urban road fatalities, with high-speed corridors, increasing vehicle ownership and dense traffic movement remaining key concerns.The city also recorded the highest number of deaths involving two-wheelers at 687, followed by Bengaluru at 467. Road safety experts have repeatedly flagged the vulnerability of motorcyclists and scooter riders in the city, especially on highways and arterial roads.At 321, the city also recorded the highest number of injuries and the second-highest fatalities at 95 in incidents involving three-wheelers. Prayagraj topped in this category with 104 fatalities. Delhi recorded the highest number of bicycle-related injuries at 161.The month-wise data showed that accidents remained consistently high throughout 2024. March was at the top with 525 accidents, followed by Oct at 509 and Sept at 481.
