Among million plus cities, Delhi recorded the highest number of road crash deaths in 2023 at 1,457, followed by Bengaluru with 915 and Jaipur with 849: Reports
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad’s road crash profile in 2023 placed it below several major Indian metros in terms of fatalities, but state‑level data for Telangana shows road safety risks remain high, particularly on national highways, according to figures released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Among million‑plus cities, Delhi recorded the highest number of road crash deaths in 2023 at 1,457, followed by Bengaluru with 915 and Jaipur with 849. Hyderabad did not figure among the top 10 cities by fatalities, a relatively lower toll compared to other large urban centres, even as traffic volumes and urban sprawl continue to rise.
At the state level, however, Telangana remains among the 10 states that together account for nearly 75 per cent of all road crash deaths nationwide. The state recorded 7,660 fatalities in 2023, up slightly from 7,559 in 2022, contributing about 4.4 per cent of India’s total road crash deaths. Telangana’s crash severity rate stood at 33.4 deaths per 100 crashes, lower than states such as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, but higher than Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.
National highways continue to be a major source of risk. Telangana recorded 3,058 deaths on highways alone in 2023, accounting for nearly half of the state’s total fatalities. This mirrors the national pattern, where highways form less than 5 per cent of the road network but accounted for 59.3 per cent of all road crash deaths across India.
Hyderabad’s risk factors closely align with national trends. Speeding remained the leading cause of road crash deaths, responsible for 68.1 per cent of fatalities nationwide. Two‑wheeler users were the most affected group, accounting for 44.8 per cent of all deaths, followed by pedestrians at 20.4 per cent. These figures are particularly relevant for urban centres like Hyderabad, where mixed traffic and high two‑wheeler usage dominate daily travel.
Age‑wise, the burden of road crashes continues to fall disproportionately on the working population. Nearly two‑thirds of all road crash deaths in India occurred among people aged 18 to 45 years. Children below 18 years accounted for 9,489 deaths nationwide in 2023.
