India, Aug. 29 -- Pedestrian deaths rose to 35,221 fatalities in 2023 compared to 32,825 in 2022, according to the latest Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' annual report Road Accidents in India 2023. This marks a 7.29% year-on-year rise and highlights the persistent vulnerability of people on foot despite promises of measures aimed at making roads safer for the most vulnerable road user. Pedestrians accounted for 20.4% of total deaths in 2023, up from 19.5 % in 2022.

Overall, the number of reported accidents in 2023 rose to 4,80,583, up from 4,61,312 in 2022, a 4.2 % increase. Fatalities also climbed, reaching 1,72,890 in 2023 against 1,68,491 in 2022, a 2.6 % rise. Injuries rose to 4,62,825 in 2023, compared to 4,43,366 in 2022....