Cuttack/Bhubaneswar: Odisha has made remarkable strides in improving road safety, as evidenced by a significant reduction in road accidents and fatalities in January 2025 compared to previous years. Historically, January is known for high accident rates, but this year, the state recorded a notable decline, thanks to concerted efforts by the government and the State Transport Authority (STA).
Observed as National Road Safety Month, January 2025 saw Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging citizens to prioritize safety with the slogan, “Come Home Safe.” The STA, in collaboration with all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), conducted extensive awareness campaigns and enforcement drives across the state. These initiatives have yielded positive results, as reflected in the latest statistics.
In January 2025, Odisha reported 994 road accidents and 417 fatalities, a significant drop from 1,093 accidents and 561 fatalities in January 2024. Similarly, in January 2023, the state had recorded 1,199 accidents and 554 fatalities.
December and January are typically high-risk months for road accidents due to factors such as increased travel for New Year celebrations, picnics, drunk driving, over speeding, and dense fog. To address these challenges, the Commerce and Transport Department implemented special monitoring measures during these months.
With the growing number of vehicles on the roads, the STA has intensified its efforts to curb accidents. In addition to targeted initiatives in January, every Wednesday is observed as “Zero Tolerance Day” to strengthen road safety enforcement. The state plans to expand awareness programs and enforcement activities further, with strict action against traffic violators to ensure a sustained reduction in road accidents.
