Overview

• Recent crashes in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha have resulted in dozens of fatalities, with many more injured, during peak travel season.
• High-profile incidents include the death of a BMC officer's wife in Kasara Ghat, a truck collision killing two policemen in Cuttack, and six family members killed in Kushinagar.
• Authorities have launched investigations, arrested drivers in some cases, and announced ex gratia payments to victims' families in Odisha and other states.
• Mechanical failures, speeding, and poor road conditions on ghats and highways are recurring factors in these accidents, underscoring systemic safety challenges.
• State governments are reviewing enforcement protocols and considering improvements like enhanced signage and barriers to address safety concerns.