Dying to drive fast? Dangerous driving killed 270 in 2 years, overspeeding 105

Nagpur: The tragic death of two young riders, reportedly speeding on a 650cc motorcycle, has once again drawn attention to the growing menace of reckless driving in the city. The incident is not an isolated one, but part of a troubling pattern that reflects a steady rise in dangerous driving and overspeeding. It has reignited concerns about road safety enforcement and the casual disregard for human life displayed by some motorists.Data from Nagpur Police paints a grim picture. Between January 2024 and December 2025, as many as 270 people lost their lives in accidents linked to dangerous driving. Overspeeding alone accounted for 105 deaths during the same period. These figures underscore how hazardous driving practices have become a persistent and deadly threat, affecting commuters regardless of whether it is day or night.
Road safety experts point out that speeding is no longer confined to late-night hours when roads are relatively empty. Instead, motorists are increasingly seen racing along arterial roads, flyovers, and recently widened stretches even during peak traffic hours. The brazenness with which some drivers flout traffic norms suggests a belief that they are unlikely to face consequences. Experts argue that inconsistent and insufficient enforcement has fostered this sense of impunity, making city roads more perilous.Police statistics reveal that 1,173 road accidents were recorded in 2025, a slight drop from 1,256 in 2024. However, a closer look shows that reckless behaviour remains a major contributor. In 2025, about 511 accidents - roughly 43% of the total - were attributed to dangerous driving. These crashes claimed 152 lives and left 523 injured, including 333 with serious injuries.The situation appears to have worsened compared to 2024, when dangerous driving was responsible for 363 accidents, resulting in 118 deaths and 417 injuries, of which 288 were serious. The notable increase in such cases in 2025 indicates dangerous driving is becoming more widespread and entrenched, despite overall accident numbers showing a marginal decline.Overspeeding also proved deadly, especially in 2024, when 254 accidents were linked to excessive speed, leading to 99 deaths and 191 injuries. Although reported overspeeding cases dropped sharply to 19 in 2025, with six fatalities and 13 injuries, the cumulative toll of 105 deaths over two years highlights the lethal consequences of driving too fast.Other violations also contributed to fatalities. In 2025, one individual died for not wearing a helmet, while eight lost their lives in drunken driving incidents. Additionally, 598 accidents were attributed to factors such as unsafe overtaking, driver error, poor road conditions, and mechanical failures, causing 123 deaths and 571 injuries. Similar causes accounted for 553 accidents in 2024, resulting in 118 deaths and 555 injuries.Speaking to TOI, DCP (Traffic) Lohit Matani said multiple measures adopted by the department have helped reduce accidents in 2025. He credited sustained enforcement drives and initiatives such as Operation U-Turn for reducing fatalities. "It is a continuous process and we are not taking our foot off the gas. Regular enforcement is being carried out to reduce accidents apart from other technical measures," he said.Matani added that strict action in cases involving minors, including proceeding against parents where necessary, has significantly curbed underage driving, which was once a major concern for the department.However, experts caution that while overall accident numbers may have dipped slightly, the persistent rise in dangerous driving demands stronger, more consistent enforcement. Without sustained efforts to instil discipline and accountability, city roads will continue to claim lives unnecessarily.(With inputs from Ketki Deoghare)Box:2024Cause of Accident------People killed ------- Total Injured--------Total accidentsOver speeding---------------99--------------------191-------------------254Dangerous driving----------118-------------------417-------------------363Drunken driving-------------7-----------------------65---------------------40Wrong side driving----------3-----------------------53---------------------46Other cause------------------118--------------------555-------------------553Total----------------------------345---------------------1281------------------12562025Cause of Accident------People killed ------- Total Injured--------Total accidentsOver speeding---------------6--------------------13-------------------19Dangerous driving----------152-------------------523-------------------511Drunken driving-------------8----------------------36---------------------34Wrong side driving----------3-----------------------0---------------------9Other cause ---------------123--------------------571-------------------598Total----------------------------293---------------------1153----------------1173