Road injuries 10th leading cause for deaths in India: WHO report

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that road injuries were the eighth leading cause of death for both males and females in India in 2023. This ranking was based on the Global Health Estimates (GHE) compiled by WHO. Road traffic injuries claimed 1.74 lakh lives in India that year, accounting for 14% of worldwide road crash fatalities. This figure has increased to 1.83 lakh in 2025, with road crashes causing 500 deaths daily in the country.

Falls were the eighth leading cause of death for females in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In 2023, falls resulted in 25,150 deaths, which was approximately 3% of the 8.42 lakh lives lost in such incidents globally. The NCRB data highlights the preventable nature of these deaths, emphasizing the significant social and economic burden they impose on families.

Globally, road traffic injuries were ranked 10th among both low- and middle-income countries. This ranking underscores the significant burden of road injuries in developing nations, despite many developed countries having made substantial progress in reducing fatalities from road crashes. The varying rankings across income groups reflect the diverse challenges faced by countries and regions in addressing this issue.

Experts in road safety have stressed the need for low- and middle-income countries to find solutions to what they call an "avoidable disaster." They argue that this requires tailored approaches to address the unique conditions of diverse road users and to improve the awareness of authorities about safety protocols for all users. Addressing road injuries, they say, needs a stronger focus on preventing crashes and mitigating their consequences.