Odisha roads unsafe! 3,717 deaths in 7 months!

Over the last seven months, Odisha witnessed 3,717 deaths in road accidents, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

The statistics were disclosed in response to a query from BJD legislator Arun Sahoo. Jena revealed that out of 6,327 recorded accidents, there were 3,717 fatalities, while 3,401 individuals sustained severe injuries.

Also Read: 6 killed, 5 critical as pick-up van rams into trailer due to dense fog in Odisha's Sundargarh

Key contributors to this alarming trend include reckless driving. Specifically, speeding was responsible for 918 deaths. A further 1,052 fatalities resulted from negligent driving, and 46 accidents involved drivers who were under the influence of alcohol.

Minister Jena also highlighted that an additional 4,677 deaths were caused in the State by various other factors. He stressed the urgent need for enhanced public awareness and the implementation of stronger safety measures on Odisha roads.

Odisha's road safety initiatives

Odisha has set an ambitious target of reducing road accident deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030, aligning with national and global road safety goals. The State is adopting a data-driven approach to decision-making and urging all stakeholders to work in close coordination.

Additionally, financial assistance will be provided to transport operators for the installation of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) devices in transport vehicles. Police will receive support for road safety data digitisation and assistance to citizens in case of accidents.

Challenges and future plans

Despite the recent improvements, Odisha still faces significant challenges in road safety. The State reports an average of 16 road deaths every day, with a severity rate (number of people killed per 100 accidents) of 47 percent, which is alarmingly higher than the national average of 37 percent.

Must Read: 2 dead, several trapped as OSRTC bus overturns in Angul

In 2023, Odisha recorded its highest annual toll of 5,739 road deaths. To address these issues, the State plans to strengthen district-level road safety action plans, expedite the process of setting up truck terminals at key locations, and enhance post-accident response mechanisms.

IIT Madras has presented an innovative data-driven mechanism, including scientific crash investigations, road safety awareness campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives for enforcement agencies to further reduce road accident deaths.