In This Indian State, 90 % Of Road Accidents Are Due To Overspeeding

Tripura’s roads are not built for high speeds, yet drivers often treat open stretches like private racetracks. This is not just a matter of thrill-seeking. It reflects a broader lack of respect for road rules, made worse by limited oversight and weak enforcement. Young riders frequently skip helmets, drivers ignore speed signs, and traffic police presence is limited outside key intersections.

Even when accidents occur, follow-ups are inconsistent. Many minor collisions go unreported. This undermines any attempt to build a data-driven response strategy. As a result, repeat offenders are rarely held accountable, and lessons are not learned from past mistakes.

Systemic gaps in safety

While larger cities have moved towards automated speed detection, Tripura continues to rely on manual monitoring. Without speed cameras or consistent patrolling, it becomes difficult to enforce limits. Road signage is sparse, especially on rural routes. Potholes, sharp curves, and poor lighting add to the danger.

Driver education is also lacking. A significant portion of two-wheeler and small commercial vehicle drivers do not undergo formal training. Many are unaware of how speed affects braking distance, vehicle control, and reaction time. In some cases, they do not even know the posted speed limits.

In places where infrastructure and education are weak, it becomes easier for dangerous habits to take root. And once those habits become the norm, change is difficult.

Different landscape, same outcome

Tripura’s problem is part of a broader national pattern. Smaller states and towns, which often have less traffic than metro areas, tend to see a higher ratio of accidents resulting in death or serious injury. That is because the quality of medical response is lower, the condition of the vehicles is often poor, and most riders and drivers neglect basic safety precautions.

In cities, help might arrive in minutes. In smaller towns, victims may have to wait longer, with no guarantee of trauma care. Even a moderate-speed crash can be fatal in such cases. Poor visibility at night, lack of reflectors, and no central dividers increase the risk further.

A shift in strategy is needed

While the state police have started increasing fines and using more highway patrol vehicles, the real change will come only with stronger community engagement. People need to understand that a crash at 60 kmph is not the same as one at 30 kmph. Schools, local leaders, and transport unions can help drive this message home.

Technology like speed cameras and GPS-based monitoring in commercial vehicles should be introduced more widely. But that must go hand in hand with better roads, more signboards, and timely maintenance.

The Tripura traffic police may have called out the problem, but that is only the first step. A 90 percent figure leaves little room for excuses. Without urgent corrective action, overspeeding will continue to turn ordinary roads into danger zones.