Road accidents claim around 1.25 lakh lives in India a year, a recent study by World Health Organisation (WHO) says.
This is ten per cent of the total accident-related deaths across the world, rash driving and poor road conditions are two major reasons for the tragedy, the study states.
While around 10 crore vehicles cause 1.25 lakh accident deaths in India, about 30 crore vehicles in the United States cause only 50,000 accident deaths in a year.
The figures pointed out that the number of accident deaths in many developing countries were high compared to the developed nations.
As per the WHO study, around 2000 people lose their life and another 50,0000 sustain injuries in a year in south Indian state of Kerala. Majority of accident victims in the state are below the age of 45.
Of the 16 lakh km-long roads in the state, only 26,000 kms are fit for traffic. Fourty one per cent of accidents and such fatalities in the state happen on National Highways, which carry 40 per cent of the state traffic, the study reveals.
While two wheelers cause 22 per cent accidents in the south Indian state of Kerala, jeeps and cars cause 19 per cent. Car accidents are also on the rise, the study states.