VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh continues to record a high rate of road accident fatalities, with 8,137 deaths reported in 19,949 road crashes during 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The state’s accident severity — measured as the number of deaths per 100 accidents — rose to 40.8, significantly higher than the national average of 36. This marks a steady increase from 39 in 2022 and 38 in 2021, pushing Andhra Pradesh’s ranking from 22nd to 18th in accident severity nationwide.
The MoRTH report highlighted the urgent need for improved trauma care facilities and traffic calming measures to reduce fatalities. Andhra Pradesh currently has only 12 Trauma Care Centres (TCCs), leaving several districts without critical emergency infrastructure. Experts stressed that more people in the state die from road accidents than from other causes and urged for more TCCs, better coordination between the state and central governments, and adequate funding to strengthen highway healthcare systems.
In 2023, Vijayawada reported 1,522 crashes with 373 deaths, while Visakhapatnam recorded 1,293 crashes and 322 deaths. Overspeeding remains the primary cause of accidents, with 30–45% of motorists reportedly violating traffic norms. Andhra Pradesh’s vast road network of over 45,000 km adds to the challenge of enforcing road safety measures. On average, 20 people die in road crashes every day in the state, underscoring the urgent need for stricter enforcement and better emergency response systems.
