Bhubaneswar: Of around 4,303 people killed in around 10,542 accidents reported last year, almost 72 per cent of the victims were under 45 years of age, according to data released by the state transport department.
The data reveals that around 11,825 people were injured in 2015, in an increase of 9.27 per cent compared to 2014.
“Around 47 per cent of road accidents occurred in urban areas while 53 per cent occurred in rural areas. Around 41.5 per cent accidents occurred on national highways, which comprise only 2 per cent of the total road network, while 38.7 per cent of accidents occurred on state highways,” according to transport department sources.
Officials said motorcyclists accounted for 30 per cent of the road accidents, while 24 per cent road accidents involved small passenger vehicles. Trucks were involved in 21.55 per cent of accidents, while buses accounted for six per cent of accidents.
Officials also said 98 per cent accidents occurred due to driver error.
“Around 98 per cent accidents occurred due to driver error. Around 63 per cent of the accidents were caused by drivers aged between 21 to 44. Around 39 per cent accidents were caused due to excessive speed, 9. 31 per cent accidents were caused due to drunken driving, and five per cent accidents were caused due to driving on the wrong side,” they said.
Transport officials said 36 per cent of the road accidents were caused due to overloading and overcrowding of vehicles. “Around 66 per cent of the road accidents occurred on surface roads, while 21 per cent occurred on metal roads, and 13 per cent occurred on kutcha roads,” they said.
Earlier, a 2015 report released by the transport research wing of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said Orissa ranks 12th in the country in terms of injuries in road accidents with 11,825 injuries – which is 2.4 per cent of the total injuries in the country.
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