NT Reporter
Panaji
Goa recorded 169 road accidents per lakh population in 2024, the highest rate among all states and Union territories nationally, ahead of Kerala (136) and Tamil Nadu (88).
While Goa may not lead India in terms of total road accidents by absolute vehicle volume, it consistently lands in the top five states and Union territories when the number of accidents is calculated per registered vehicle, according to data compiled by Climate Dot, a non-profit think and act research organisation.
Evaluated against its total fleet size, the state ranks among the top five states with 232 accidents per lakh registered vehicles. Climate Dot relied on data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) (2024), vehicle ownership statistics and 2019 National Commission on Population projections. Goa also leads the country in household vehicle penetration, with 90% of the households owning a two-wheeler and 42% owning a four-wheeler.
Climate Dot supports Goa’s energy transition through data-driven analysis and strategic planning, working closely with state agencies to design and test on-ground pilots that demonstrate real-world climate solutions for statewide adoption.
According to police, rash and negligent driving or riding is a primary cause of the road mishaps, while poor road conditions have also been cited. From January to July this year, 151 fatal road accidents claimed 157 lives in the state. Two-wheeler riders accounted for the majority of fatalities with 95 deaths, followed by 23 pedestrians, 17 pillion riders, 10 drivers, eight passengers, two cyclists and two others.
To minimise road accidents and fatalities, police report that strict traffic law enforcement is under way. Special drives are focusing on drunk driving, riding without a helmet, driving without a licence, rash and negligent driving and over-speeding. Police added that they are concentrating on quality prosecution to help directly reduce traffic accidents.
