Telangana recorded 7,687 road deaths in 2025, a 3.3% decline from the previous year, but pedestrian fatalities rose to 1,632 as the total number of road accidents increased, according to data from the Telangana Transport Department.
The state recorded 262 fewer road deaths than in 2024, when 7,949 people were killed. Fatal accidents also declined from 7,495 to 7,262. However, total accidents rose from 25,986 to 27,236, indicating that crashes became less deadly on average even as road risk remained widespread.
“ The decline is encouraging, and it reflects the combined efforts of the transport department, traffic police and the people of Telangana. But each of these numbers represents a family that has suffered a loss, and 7,687 deaths in a year are far too many. We will keep strengthening enforcement and road safety awareness until these numbers fall much further,” transport commissioner K Ilambarithi said.
The improvement was concentrated in the second half of the year. Road deaths between July and December were 9.5% lower than during the corresponding period of 2024, with every month from August to December recording fewer fatalities. In contrast, deaths during the first six months of 2025 were 2.6% higher than the previous year. March was the deadliest month, with 780 deaths.
The data showed a sharp contrast between vehicle occupants and pedestrians. Two-wheeler fatalities fell 8%, from 4,216 to 3,878, while deaths among occupants of cars, taxis, vans and other light motor vehicles declined 11.5%, from 651 to 576. Autorickshaw-related deaths fell from 336 to 300. Pedestrian deaths, however, increased from 1,586 to 1,632 and accounted for more than one in every five road deaths.
The combined number of pedestrian and passenger deaths remained unchanged at 4,055. Women were particularly exposed: 948 of the 986 women killed in road accidents were pedestrians or passengers. Female fatalities declined by only 0.8%, compared with a 3.7% reduction among men.
The figures also raised concerns about safety compliance among people travelling inside vehicles. Of the 576 people killed in light motor vehicle crashes, 383 were passengers. Among the 3,878 two-wheeler deaths, 1,030 involved pillion riders. The department has linked further reductions in fatalities to better helmet and seat-belt compliance, although the data does not establish how many of these victims were not wearing required safety equipment.
Transport authorities have directed road-owning agencies to remove footpath encroachments and improve pedestrian infrastructure. The department has also called for stronger protection at designated crossings. “All pedestrian crossings are going to be monitored through CCTV-led enforcement, and any violation will be dealt with strictly,” a transport department official said.
The severity of crashes improved during the year. Deaths per 100 accidents fell from 30.6 in 2024 to 28.2 in 2025, while the share of accidents resulting in fatalities declined from 28.8% to 26.7%. The department also reported that 21,606 applicants registered for an online road safety course, 18,093 completed it and 92% said it improved their awareness, with an average rating of 4.4 out of five.
The transport department said sustained enforcement, safer roads, improved pedestrian facilities and wider compliance with helmet and seat-belt rules would remain central to reducing Telangana’s road death toll. Its immediate measures include clearing footpath encroachments and monitoring pedestrian crossings through CCTV-led enforcement.
