Ernakulam district has emerged as the most accident-prone region in Kerala for 2024, recording the highest number of road accident fatalities, according to the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB). The district witnessed 7,567 road accidents resulting in 489 deaths, placing it ahead of Thiruvananthapuram (484 deaths) and Kozhikode (315 deaths). Across the state, a total of 48,841 accidents were reported, leading to 3,875 fatalities, 38,153 serious injuries, and 16,660 minor injuries.
Two-wheeler riders accounted for the majority of these deaths, with motorcycles and scooters together involved in nearly 19,000 accidents, resulting in 1,470 fatalities. Car accidents also contributed significantly, with 14,550 incidents leading to 820 deaths. Additional casualties included 12 hit-and-run victims and 3 deaths involving road-rollers.
The most dangerous roads were found to be local or panchayat roads, where 2,120 deaths occurred, followed by 885 fatalities on national highways and 870 on state highways.
Experts attribute Ernakulam’s high fatality rate to its dense traffic flow, extensive road network, and the presence of 703 identified accident-prone “black spots”—the highest in Kerala. Night-time driving has also been flagged as particularly dangerous, with one in every five crashes after dark proving fatal, a rate twice that of daytime accidents.
To combat this alarming trend, the report recommends stricter enforcement on highways, urgent rectification of black spots, increased public awareness—especially among two-wheeler users—and enhanced night patrolling. The data serves as a serious reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety measures and responsible driving practices across the state.
