Cuttack/Bhubaneswar: Odisha has achieved significant success in road safety. January, known for high accident rates, recorded a decrease in both road accidents and fatalities compared to previous years.
January 2025 was observed as National Road Safety Month, during which Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed to the citizens ‘Come Home Safe’. With this in mind, the State Transport Authority (STA), through all RTOs, conducted extensive awareness and enforcement activities throughout the state. The impact of these efforts is evident in the latest road accident statistics.
In January 2025, Odisha recorded 994 accidents and 417 fatalities, whereas in January 2024, the number of accidents was 1,093, and fatalities stood at a concerning 561. Similarly, in January 2023, there were 1,199 accidents and 554 fatalities.
Historically, December and January witness the highest number of road accidents due to various factors. Increased travel for New Year celebrations and picnics often leads to drunk driving and overspeeding-related accidents. Additionally, dense fog conditions contribute to road mishaps. To counter this, the Commerce and Transport Department had implemented special monitoring measures during these months.
With the rise in vehicle numbers, road accidents have also increased, prompting the State Transport Authority to intensify its efforts for better control. Apart from focused initiatives in January, every Wednesday is observed as Zero Tolerance Day to enhance road safety enforcement. Moving forward, awareness programs and enforcement activities will be expanded further. Strict checks and actions will be taken against violators to ensure a continued decline in road accidents across Odisha.
