Odisha has achieved significant success in road safety. January, typically known for high accident rates, saw a decrease in both road accidents and fatalities compared to previous years.
January 2025 was designated as National Road Safety Month, during which Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed to citizens with the message ‘Come Home Safe.’
To support this initiative, the State Transport Authority (STA), along with all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), conducted extensive awareness and enforcement activities throughout the state. The impact of these efforts is reflected in the latest road accident statistics.
In January 2025, Odisha recorded 994 accidents and 417 fatalities, whereas in January 2024, there were 1,093 accidents and 561 fatalities. In January 2023, the figures were even higher, with 1,199 accidents and 554 fatalities.
Historically, December and January experienced the highest number of road accidents due to several factors. Increased travel for New Year celebrations and picnics often leads to incidents caused by drunk driving and excessive speeding. Additionally, dense fog conditions contribute to road mishaps. To address these issues, the Commerce and Transport Department implemented special monitoring measures during these months.
As the number of vehicles on the road continues to rise, road accidents have also increased, prompting the State Transport Authority to enhance its control efforts. Beyond the initiatives in January, every Wednesday is observed as ‘Zero Tolerance Day’ to strengthen road safety enforcement. Moving forward, awareness programs and enforcement activities will expand even further. Strict checks and actions will be taken against violators to ensure a continued decline in road accidents across Odisha.
