Best Documentary
Dangerous Roads: 150,000 Deaths a Year | India’s Road Crisis
The roads of North India stretch from the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the bustling capital of New Delhi. Used daily by over 100 million people, these roads are among the most dangerous in the world, accounting for 11% of global traffic accidents.
With around 450,000 crashes and 150,000 fatalities each year, India's road death toll is eight times higher than that of the European Union. Poor infrastructure is partly to blame—many roads are unpaved, lack guardrails, and are shared by a chaotic mix of vehicles: motorbikes, cars, carts, and even livestock. In a region home to nearly 380 million people, farmers often travel with buffalo or horses directly on highways, increasing the risk of deadly collisions.
Beyond infrastructure, dangerous driving habits fuel the crisis. It's not uncommon to see drivers ignoring basic traffic laws—overtaking from both sides or even driving against traffic. In winter, dense fog frequently blankets the New Delhi area, triggering massive pileups. In the Himalayas, one wrong move can be fatal, with vehicles plunging into ravines over 300 meters deep.
Director : Edward Haywood
Published May 10, 2025
