Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India

blackwasp · 10th January 2020, 23:17

According to a media report, the months of January and May 2018 reported the highest number of road traffic accidents in India. While fog was the contributing cause in the first month of the year, summer holidays combined with higher number of leisure travellers and possible exhaustion at the wheel could have been the reason for the higher fatality rate in the month of May.

The highest number of road accidents were reported in the peak times of 6 pm to 9 pm, while the least number of accidents were reported between 6 am to 9 am. The accident numbers progressively increased as the day passed.

The highest fatalities were reported in the state of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Some of the reasons attributed include higher vehicle ownership in states like Punjab, poor infrastructure and lack of prompt medical aid in rural areas.

Overall, road accidents resulted in deaths of 1,52,780 people while another 4,46,518 were injured.

Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India-screenshot-20200110-11.14.16-pm.png

Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India-screenshot-20200110-11.14.24-pm.png

Source

Link to the Team-BHP News

Shreyans_Jain · 10th January 2020, 23:31

Here’s my theory

Fatalities tend to be high during May and January as these are the times when schools are off and families are out on holidays. Not only do you have more people or more cars out, these family cars are usually packed to the brim. It is simple probability... casualties are higher. It is also worth considering that many of these family vehicles are self driven by people who otherwise are not regular highway or hill drivers. Also, vehicle dynamics and braking distances go for a toss when cars are fully loaded and this also needs to be taken into consideration.

The other stat of most accidents happening between 6 and 9pm is also entirely plausible. This is the time when traffic is maximum. The transition period between day and night is the worst to drive as half the road users don’t have lights on and then there are so many fools coming at you with high beam engaged. Your eyes are constantly adjusting, conditions are continuously changing. And there are simply too many idiots out at this time.

SmartCat · 11th January 2020, 00:24

I don't think there is a link between month and traffic fatalities. There is minuscule percentage difference between each month.

landcruiser123 · 11th January 2020, 00:47

Does fog play a role in crashes in Jan? I've never driven in North India, but I do keep reading about multi car pileups due to fog.

GTO · 13th January 2020, 14:10

Mod Note: Thread moved to the safety forum!

10th January 2020, 23:17	#1
blackwasp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 2,974 Thanked: 26,325 Times View My Garage	Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India According to a media report, the months of January and May 2018 reported the highest number of road traffic accidents in India. While fog was the contributing cause in the first month of the year, summer holidays combined with higher number of leisure travellers and possible exhaustion at the wheel could have been the reason for the higher fatality rate in the month of May. The highest number of road accidents were reported in the peak times of 6 pm to 9 pm, while the least number of accidents were reported between 6 am to 9 am. The accident numbers progressively increased as the day passed. The highest fatalities were reported in the state of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Some of the reasons attributed include higher vehicle ownership in states like Punjab, poor infrastructure and lack of prompt medical aid in rural areas. Overall, road accidents resulted in deaths of 1,52,780 people while another 4,46,518 were injured. Source Link to the Team-BHP News Last edited by blackwasp : 10th January 2020 at 23:23.
	(9) Thanks

10th January 2020, 23:31	#2
Shreyans_Jain Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: HR51/HR29/HR26 Posts: 2,751 Thanked: 21,225 Times	Re: Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India Here’s my theory Fatalities tend to be high during May and January as these are the times when schools are off and families are out on holidays. Not only do you have more people or more cars out, these family cars are usually packed to the brim. It is simple probability... casualties are higher. It is also worth considering that many of these family vehicles are self driven by people who otherwise are not regular highway or hill drivers. Also, vehicle dynamics and braking distances go for a toss when cars are fully loaded and this also needs to be taken into consideration. The other stat of most accidents happening between 6 and 9pm is also entirely plausible. This is the time when traffic is maximum. The transition period between day and night is the worst to drive as half the road users don’t have lights on and then there are so many fools coming at you with high beam engaged. Your eyes are constantly adjusting, conditions are continuously changing. And there are simply too many idiots out at this time.
	(6) Thanks

11th January 2020, 00:24	#3
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,422 Thanked: 42,889 Times View My Garage	Re: Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India I don't think there is a link between month and traffic fatalities. There is minuscule percentage difference between each month. Last edited by SmartCat : 11th January 2020 at 00:27.
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11th January 2020, 00:47	#4
landcruiser123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,986 Thanked: 6,859 Times	Re: Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India Does fog play a role in crashes in Jan? I've never driven in North India, but I do keep reading about multi car pileups due to fog.
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13th January 2020, 14:10	#5
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,511 Thanked: 300,661 Times View My Garage	Re: Jan, May: Most fatal months for traffic accidents in India Mod Note: Thread moved to the safety forum!
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