Over nine people died every day in Gujarat over the past five years after failing to wear helmets or seatbelts, highlighting a major road safety concern in the state.
Official data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) shows that more than 46% of all road accident fatalities in Gujarat between 2020 and 2024 involved victims who were not using basic safety gear such as helmets or seatbelts. During this period, the state recorded 36,811 deaths in 76,272 road accidents, with 17,293 lives lost due to non-compliance with these safety measures.The situation worsened in 2024, the deadliest year of the five-year span, when Gujarat reported 7,717 road deaths. Of these, 3,983 fatalities—over half—were linked to riders or drivers not wearing helmets or seatbelts.
Overspeeding emerged as the most significant cause of fatal accidents, accounting for an alarming 34,681 deaths, or 94% of all fatalities recorded during the five years. This made excessive speed the single biggest killer on Gujarat’s roads.Other dangerous practices also contributed to the toll.
Overloading of vehicles and passengers hanging from overcrowded buses and goods carriers claimed 1,793 lives between 2020 and 2024, including 384 deaths in 2024 alone.Road accidents in the state increased by more than 15% over the same period, rising from 12,449 incidents in 2020 to 14,390 accidents in 2024, underscoring the growing urgency for stricter enforcement and improved road safety measures.