Hyderabad: Road accidents in Telangana have risen steadily between 2020 and 2023, with fatalities cutting across all categories of victims — pedestrians, cyclists, two-wheeler riders, passengers and those travelling in four-wheelers.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), even potholes on Hyderabad’s roads added to the grim toll of road accident deaths in 2023.
In Telangana, 22,903 road accidents were recorded in 2023, leaving 7,660 dead and 22,903 others injured. By comparison, in 2020 the state reported 19,172 accidents with 6,882 deaths and 19,172 injuries.
In Hyderabad, 2,516 accidents in 2022 resulted in 323 deaths and 2,252 injuries. The figures rose in 2023 to 2,953 accidents, 335 deaths, and 2,596 injuries.
Residential areas were the most dangerous across Telangana in 2023, accounting for 1,382 deaths from 4,761 accidents. Institutional areas saw 123 deaths from 709 accidents, while commercial areas recorded 460 deaths from 2,810 accidents.
Pedestrians were among the worst hit in Hyderabad. The MORTH report said 133 pedestrians died in accidents in 2023, making them the second largest victim group after two-wheeler riders, who accounted for 166 deaths.
Notably, seven deaths in Hyderabad were directly linked to potholes.
Driving on the wrong side remained a persistent menace, causing 143 accidents that killed eight people and injured 150. Mobile phone use while driving led to 23 accidents, killing three people and injuring 26. Overspeeding was identified as the single biggest killer, claiming 288 lives in 1,624 accidents that left 2,297 injured.
Drunk driving resulted in 49 accidents, causing 12 deaths and 44 injuries.
