Shocking: Despite COVID Lockdown, High Number Of Road Accident-Related Deaths In 2020

New Delhi: Despite prolonged COVID-induced lockdowns, there were a huge number of road accident-related deaths in India last year.

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, India recorded 1.20 lakh cases of ‘deaths due to negligence relating to road accidents’ in 2020. It meant just over 10% decrease in numbers compared to what was recorded in 2019 (1.36 lakh) and 2018 (1.35 lakh).

Odisha, on the other hand, was hoping for a decrease in road accident deaths during the lockdowns imposed during the second wave of the pandemic post April 2021. During the period from January to March 2021, there was a spike in cases.

Given that most offices and institutions were closed for several months and all forms of transportation – but for those related to emergency services – were off the roads, it’s surprising that the number of fatalities caused by road accidents was not significantly lower.

As for ‘hit and run’ cases, there were 41,196 cases in 2020, compared to 47,504 in 2019 and 47,028 in 2018, according to the NCRB report.

Cases of causing ‘hurt’ by rash or negligent driving on roads were 1.30 lakh in 2020, while it was 1.60 lakh in 2019 and 1.66 lakh in 2018. ‘Grievous hurt’ cases stood at 85,920, 1.12 lakh and 1.08 lakh, respectively, in the three consecutive years.

Even rail accidents revealed a similar trend, with 52 deaths being reported across the country in 2020. The number was 55 in 2019 and 35 in 2018.