A total of 19,478 road accidents occurred in 2021 due to loss of control by the driver due to inappropriate speed, distraction, or misjudging a curve, which claimed 9,150 lives and injured 19,077 people, according to a report released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The report titled 'Road accidents in India -- 2021', said the nature of accident or collision types at aggregate national-level data shows an increase in 2021 compared to 2020.
India's star cricketer Rishabh Pant had a miraculous escape after his luxury car crashed into a road divider and caught fire after he dozed off at the wheel on the Delhi-Dehradun highway in the early hours of Friday.
The 25-year-old suffered injuries on his head, back, and feet but is in stable condition, Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Singh said.
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a tweet, said, "Distressed by the accident of renowned cricketer Rishabh Pant. Praying for his quick and complete recovery." A total of 4,12,432 road accidents occurred in 2021, which claimed 1,53,972 lives while 3,84,448 people were injured.
According to the report, hit from the back (21.2 per cent) accounted for the largest share in total accidents and the total number of persons killed (18.6 per cent) during 2021 followed by 'head on collision' (18.5 per cent).
Head-on collisions are known to occur on roads with narrow lanes, sharp curves, unseparated lanes for two-way traffic, and also busy stretches.
According to the report, the other major types of collision which caused death are 'hit & run' (16.8 per cent) and 'hit from the side' (11.9 per cent).
A hit from the back or a rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle crashes into the one in front of it.
Common factors contributing to rear-end collisions include the driver's lack of attention or distraction, tailgating (back to back) at junctions, panic stops, and reduced traction due to wet weather or worn pavement.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Relief For Aligarh Muslim University: Should It Get Minority Status?
Assam Cops Drag Bodies Of Father-Daughter On Road After Accident 10 Delhi Spots That Saw Most Road Accidents In 2023 CCTV Shows Speeding Car, Driven By Teen, Running Over 2 Girls Making Rangoli Trump's Immigration Curbs To Impact Millions Of Indians, Their Children Elon Musk Replies To 'We Need Your Help Removing Trudeau' Post Video: Jimmy Kimmel Chokes Up During TV Show Monologue About Trump Win 2 Women Burn 5 Puppies Alive In UP By Pouring Petrol Over Them, Case Filed Will Fight In Politics Till My Last Breath: Ex-PM Deve Gowda Viral Video Shows Sterilization In UP Labour Room, Strict Action Ordered Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.