The growing emphasis on road safety in Jammu and Kashmir reflects a thoughtful shift toward prevention, planning, and responsibility. Rather than responding only after accidents occur, the administration is increasingly relying on data, technology, and coordinated institutions to understand risks and reduce harm. This approach recognizes that road safety is closely linked to governance, public behaviour, and infrastructure quality, and that lasting improvement depends on careful analysis and sustained action.
Recent data highlights both the scale of the challenge and the need for informed intervention. Since the launch of the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) portal in June 2022, the Union Territory has recorded 20,135 road accidents involving 32,819 people. These incidents have led to 3,688 fatalities and 29,131 injuries, ranging from minor to grievous. Such figures underline the human cost of unsafe roads and strengthen the case for a systematic, evidence-based response. Analysis of accident trends shows clear patterns. A large proportion of accidents occur on major highways, particularly in districts such as Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, and Rajouri. Time-based data indicates that accidents are most frequent between 3 pm and 9 pm, a period often marked by heavy traffic, fatigue, and reduced alertness. Behavioural factors remain significant, with rash driving and overspeeding accounting for nearly half of the accidents reported during 2025. These insights help move the conversation from general concern to specific, actionable solutions. Enforcement has been one visible part of this effort. In 2024, traffic authorities issued 40,197 challans, collecting fines of Rs 10.15 crore. This increased in 2025, when 52,543 challans resulted in fines amounting to Rs 15.88 crore. During the same year, enforcement measures included the seizure of 1,528 vehicles, suspension of 1,641 driving licenses, blacklisting of 10,439 vehicles, cancellation of 1,192 registration certificates, and revocation of 300 route permits. These steps signal a stronger resolve to discourage dangerous driving habits. Technology has further expanded enforcement capacity. Surveillance cameras installed under the Integrated Traffic Management System and Intelligent Light Traffic System have enabled consistent monitoring at major junctions. As a result, e-challans have risen steadily, with 12,36,380 issued in 2023, 15,03,901 in 2024, and 14,92,591 in 2025. The fines collected through these measures reached Rs 85.16 crore in 2023, Rs 120.09 crore in 2024, and Rs 145.12 crore in 2025. In 2025 alone, nearly 15,947 vehicles were seized for violations of traffic laws. These figures suggest that digital tools are playing an important role in improving compliance. At the same time, there is a growing understanding that enforcement must be supported by safer road design. The use of GIS-based mapping to identify accident-prone stretches allows authorities to focus on areas where risks are highest. By combining accident data with information on road design, traffic flow, and terrain, planners can prioritize black spots for corrective measures. Agencies responsible for road construction and maintenance have been asked to address these locations through improved signage, better lighting, traffic calming measures, and engineering corrections. Road safety also depends on preparedness and response. Initiatives such as the Road Accident Victim Fund, expansion of trauma care facilities along highways, and the functioning of driver training and vehicle inspection centers contribute to a more complete safety framework. These efforts ensure that victims receive timely assistance while also improving driving standards over the long term. The broader significance of this approach lies in coordination and consistency. Supreme Court directions on road safety require clear timelines, accountability, and regular review. When data, enforcement, engineering, and public awareness work together, the impact can be lasting. Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving road safety strategy suggests a move toward such balance, where technology supports human judgment and policy is guided by evidence.
Reducing road accidents is a gradual process, but each informed step brings the goal closer. By listening to data, strengthening institutions, and maintaining a people-centered focus, the administration is laying the groundwork for safer roads and fewer tragedies. The challenge remains serious, yet the direction now appears more thoughtful, measured, and hopeful.