44. 70% Of Road-Accident Deaths In AP Are Of Two-Wheeler Riders

In Andhra Pradesh, two-wheeler riders represent nearly half of all road accident fatalities, making them the most vulnerable group on the roads. According to the "India Status Report on Road Safety—2024," two-wheelers account for 44.7% of all road deaths in the state. The overall road death rate in Andhra Pradesh was 15.6 per 100,000 population in 2022, showing a slight increase from 15.5 in the previous year. Male fatalities remain disproportionately high at 26.8 per 100,000, which is almost six times the rate of female fatalities, recorded at 4.5 per 100,000. Young and middle-aged adults are the most affected demographic groups in road accidents. The 25–35-year age group alone contributes to a quarter of all road deaths, followed closely by the 35–45-year group at 23.7%, and the 18–25-year group at 18.2%. This trend highlights the heightened risk faced by the working-age population, who likely spend more time commuting. National highways pose a significant danger, accounting for 45.7% of road deaths in 2022, which is a sharp rise from 38.8% in 2018. This is alarming considering national highways make up only about 13% of Andhra Pradesh’s 8,683-km road network. In contrast, state highways and district roads, which cover the remaining 87%, report far fewer fatalities. The concentration of deaths on national highways suggests greater risk factors such as higher speeds and insufficient safety infrastructure. The state’s population density stands at 325 persons per square kilometer, with a total of 53 million residents. Road traffic injuries rank as the 13th leading cause of death and 18th in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), reflecting both mortality and long-term health impacts. Non-fatal injuries add to the burden, with 40.2 people per 100,000 population experiencing diminished quality of life and increased reliance on healthcare services. Vehicle ownership patterns in Andhra Pradesh reveal a heavy dependence on two-wheelers, with 184.6 per 1,000 people owning one as of 2020. When it comes to commuting, walking is the dominant mode at 30.6%, followed by public transport at 20.3%, and only 2.8% using cars. This reliance on two-wheelers and walking further exposes the population to road safety risks. The state’s road safety infrastructure is far from adequate. Andhra Pradesh has 1,587 intersections on national highways, 272 on state highways, and 632 on major district roads that require traffic calming measures. Yet, none of these intersections are equipped with the full set of safety features such as rumble strips, speed breakers, and proper signage. Crash barriers are also in poor condition, with only 6% meeting Indian Road Congress standards. This means 94% of crash barriers fail to provide sufficient protection to prevent vehicles from running off the road. Overall, these findings point to a critical need for enhanced road safety measures, particularly focused on two-wheeler riders and national highways, to curb the rising trend in fatalities and injuries across Andhra Pradesh.