Two-wheelers emerge as deadliest vehicles on city roads

Kochi: More than 2,000 two-wheeler riders sustained serious injuries in the city in road accidents in 2024—250 more than the previous year—according to the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The report recorded 2,067 serious injuries among two-wheeler riders, compared to 1,815 in 2023. Fatalities also rose, with 95 riders killed in 2024, up from 86 the previous year. The scale of the problem becomes clearer when compared to other vehicle categories: Only 328 people were seriously injured in car accidents, making two-wheelers by far the most dangerous vehicle type on the road. "The condition of those who survive with severe injuries is often worse than death. I remember meeting a young man who was injured after his Royal Enfield Bullet met with an accident. He was six feet tall and worked as a fitness trainer. When I met him, three years after the crash, he was completely bedridden and could barely speak," said road safety expert PD Sunil Babu. He also said pointed to speed as a key factor. Although two-wheelers are restricted to a maximum of 50kmph, the limit is rarely observed. "The contact area of a two-wheeler on the road is minimal. A small deviation can cause it to overturn, triggering accidents involving other vehicles as well," he explained. He also warned of worsening conditions with the onset of the rainy season. Hydroplaning poses a serious risk, particularly in cities like Kochi. "Roads accumulate sediments, chemicals, and oils from vehicles. These mix with rainwater, making the surface slippery. The resulting water layer causes vehicles to lose traction and become impossible to steer," Babu said. In Kochi, the data recorded 3,241 road accident injuries and 172 fatalities across 2,901 cases. Road safety expert Upendra Narayanan said most accidents involve those aged 16 to 45. "Teenagers are now riding vehicles that don't require a licence, while older age groups tend to use cars or public transport. The younger two-wheeler demographic is most likely to be involved in accidents," he said. Narayanan also noted that vehicle density on most roads far exceeds permissible limits, compounding the risk. Babu added that speed alone does not cause accidents when a driver is skilled and alert. "In our conditions, many who speed are overconfident amateurs. They tend to lose control very easily once the vehicle picks up pace," he said.