Guess how many road accidents happened in Puducherry in 2024?

PUDUCHERRY: The Union territory of Puducherry reported 1,391 road accidents in 2024, resulting in 221 fatalities and 1,548 injuries, according to the Puducherry road safety report released by chief minister N Rangasamy on Wednesday. In a release, senior superintendent of police (traffic) Nithya Radhakrishnan said national highways accounted for nearly one-third of total accidents.

Rural areas (123 deaths) recorded more fatalities than urban (98 deaths) due to narrow roads that are often poorly lit and inadequately marked, combined with higher rates of drunk or untrained driving compared to urban centres. Seventy nine people died as they did not wear helmets.

Senior citizens accounted for most number of deaths (63 years) followed by people aged between 45 and 60 years (56). “The 35–45 year group showed a noticeable increase in deaths, while young adults aged between 18 and 35 years continued to remain vulnerable. Fatalities among children below 18 years were minimal. Overall, the pattern indicates a higher risk for older and middle-aged road users, differing from national trends,” said the SSP.

Vehicles older than 15 years accounted for the highest share of road accidents with 848 accidents and 75 fatalities. Despite a slight decline from 2023, their continued involvement highlights risks from mechanical failures and outdated safety features, underscoring the need for strict fitness checks and phased removal of unfit vehicles.

Police strengthened traffic regulations in 2024, with a substantial rise in challans issued compared to 2023. Police focused action on key violations such as not wearing a helmet, using mobile phone while riding or driving, wrong-side driving, and overspeeding, along with increased field checks, patrols, and checkpoints. The efforts yielded positive results with improved compliance and deterrence. “This reflects the strong commitment of the Puducherry police to enhance road safety through proactive enforcement,” said the SSP.