Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala, known for its lush landscapes and progressive social indicators, is facing a silent yet deadly crisis its roads. In the last five years, a staggering 23,548 people have lost their lives in road accidents across the state, with 7,000 fatalities reported in 2023 alone, marking a grim new high.
These figures, sourced from state traffic data and independent monitoring agencies, highlight a growing public safety emergency that has received neither the attention nor the urgency it demands from authorities. What was once dismissed as routine traffic mishaps has snowballed into a chronic and systemic failure.
Kerala’s roads are increasingly turning into death traps. On average, 19 people die every day in road accidents a toll comparable to natural disasters. The year 2023 saw a sharp surge in fatalities compared to previous years, raising concerns about enforcement, infrastructure, and public awareness.
Experts point to a combination of factors behind the surge: poor road conditions, rash driving, lack of enforcement, inadequate public transport, and weak trauma care systems. High vehicle density and congested urban centers, combined with narrow rural roads and dangerous curves, make for a deadly mix.
Among the deceased are thousands of youth, students, and daily commuters often the breadwinners of families. Motorcycle accidents account for a large share of deaths, particularly among young men aged 18–35. Many of these tragedies are linked to overspeeding, distracted driving (especially mobile phone use), and non-compliance with helmet and seatbelt rules.
The emotional and economic impact on families is incalculable. Many are pushed into poverty or debt traps after losing their sole earning member.
While Kerala boasts of a technologically advanced Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and an extensive network of traffic surveillance cameras, the figures suggest that enforcement alone has failed to stem the tide. Critics argue that the focus on fines and camera-based violations has turned into a revenue-generating model rather than a genuine safety effort.
“Spot policing, visible traffic patrols, and public awareness campaigns are essential. The over-reliance on automated systems is not deterring habitual offenders,” says a retired traffic SP.
Despite multiple action plans and promises, road infrastructure remains dangerously outdated in many districts. Crumbling bridges, poorly marked lanes, blind curves, and lack of pedestrian crossings are widespread. The Kerala Road Safety Authority, which is supposed to coordinate policy and intervention, is reportedly underfunded and under-staffed.
Moreover, the absence of a state trauma response grid means that many accident victims die not on impact but due to delayed medical attention the so-called “golden hour” being lost in bureaucratic chaos and traffic snarls.
The mounting toll has triggered criticism from civil society groups, transport unions, and citizens’ forums, all demanding urgent interventions. The government has repeatedly promised comprehensive road audits, stricter licensing, better public transport alternatives, and upgraded emergency services but implementation has lagged.
In 2023, a government-commissioned panel had recommended a ‘Safe Kerala Action Plan’, including black-spot identification, speed regulation zones near schools, and mandatory driving re-tests every five years. Yet, the report remains buried in administrative files.
As the numbers rise, so does the public frustration. Many are now calling for road safety to be treated as a public health issue, akin to epidemic response. Schools, colleges, workplaces, and local bodies must be roped into a mass awareness campaign. It’s not just about rules it’s about changing attitudes.
Kerala cannot afford to lose another 7,000 lives in 2025. The time for symbolic measures is over. What is needed is political will, administrative commitment, and civic responsibility. Until that happens, Kerala’s roads will continue to claim innocent lives silently, relentlessly, and preventably.