Srinagar, Dec 31 : Rural areas of the Kashmir Valley recorded a significant improvement in road safety in 2025, with a 15 percent reduction in road accidents and a 22 percent drop in fatalities compared to the previous year, traffic police officials said on Wednesday.
Addressing a year-end press conference, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir R P Singh said sustained enforcement, awareness drives and coordinated efforts across departments played a key role in the decline.
“Compared to 2024, this year saw a notable improvement. Accidents came down from 1,179 last year to 1,000 in 2025, while fatalities reduced from 279 to 210,” he said.
The SSP credited the progress to teamwork involving district police, civil and municipal authorities, engineering departments, Beacon officials and educational institutions. He also acknowledged the support of media organisations, NGOs and student volunteers, including NCC cadets and higher secondary school students, in spreading road safety awareness.
“Our objective is simple: saving lives. Every accident death leaves behind a shattered family. Preventing such losses remains our priority,” Singh said.
He noted a visible change in public behaviour, with about 80 percent of drivers now wearing seatbelts and nearly 90 percent of two-wheeler riders using helmets. Pedestrians and shopkeepers, he added, are also showing better compliance by avoiding encroachments and using designated footpaths.
Singh emphasised that continued cooperation from all sections of society is essential to sustain and further improve road safety in the coming year, urging stakeholders to build on the gains made in 2025.
