A 35-year-old woman from Gurugram was killed and four others injured when a truck rammed into their motorcycle on NH-48 near a petrol pump in southwest Delhi’s Mahipalpur on April 21, Monday night.
The victim, Mamta, was travelling with her husband Mandeep, 25, and their three daughters, aged between three and eight, when the incident occurred. The family was returning home after visiting acquaintances when the truck struck their bike from behind, causing it to lose control.
All five were thrown onto the road by the impact. Mamta sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre, where she later succumbed. Mandeep and the three children were also injured in the crash.
In a separate incident the same night, police arrested a 51-year-old man in Mahipalpur in connection with a hit-and-run that left a policeman injured.
Biker’s death in Gurgaon sparks complaint against training firm
On April 20, Shomita Singh, a 28-year-old biking enthusiast, died following a collision between her red G310-BMW sports bike and a Hyundai Verna on Leopard Trail Road in Gurgaon.
Singh was riding from Noida’s Sector 135 to Leopard Trail Cafe with a group of eight other women bikers when the accident took place. She was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly afterwards.
Police have seized the Hyundai Verna and identified its driver. On April 21, Singh’s parents lodged a complaint with Badshahpur police, seeking action against Lets Ryde, the company that was training her to become a professional biker.
Accidents involving two-wheelers and pedestrians continue to dominate road fatalities in Delhi. Despite repeated warnings and awareness drives, these vulnerable road users remain the most affected.
Data shows alarming trend
According to Delhi Traffic Police data, 2,325 accidents involving two-wheelers were recorded in 2024. Of these, 1,737 were categorised as simple, while 588 were fatal.
The crashes left 2,234 people injured and 611 dead. Fatal accidents accounted for 25.29% of the total.
Between January 1 and April 15 this year alone, 669 two-wheeler accidents have already been reported — 136 fatal and 533 simple — resulting in 696 injuries and 141 deaths.
In 2023, Delhi recorded 1,257 road accident deaths. Pedestrians constituted 43% of the fatalities, while two-wheeler riders accounted for 38%, according to the Delhi Police Road Crash Fatalities Report 2023.
The number of deaths saw a slight dip from 2022, when 1,264 fatalities were reported. However, 2024 has already witnessed a rise, with 1,504 fatal accidents recorded so far, of which 39% involved two-wheelers.
Earlier reports have indicated that Delhi witnesses an average of four road accident deaths daily.
Overspeeding, shortcuts, poor road sense blamed
Police attribute many two-wheeler fatalities to reckless driving practices. Motorcyclists often neglect basic safety measures, including wearing helmets, obeying speed limits, and following traffic rules.
“In multiple cases, bikers lost control and fatally crashed into road dividers,” said a police officer.
Kime Kaming, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), highlighted the role of overspeeding and rule violations. “Most of these occur because of overspeeding or not taking proper safety precautions. They flout these rules and then they suffer the consequences,” he said. “Unfortunately, there is no sense of heeding the said regulations which eventually leads to such regrettable incidents.”
Kaming also pointed out that drivers of larger vehicles contribute to fatal accidents. “Drivers often speed, drink and drive, or fail to slow down at speed breakers. Pedestrians are also at risk due to reckless driving. In the case of car-related fatalities, failure to wear seatbelts is a major factor,” he said.
Traffic police officials noted that many motorcyclists caught violating rules claimed to be in a hurry due to emergencies. Officers said several riders admitted to taking unauthorised shortcuts through narrow lanes and colonies to save time, while driving at dangerously high speeds, endangering themselves and others.
Ajay Chaudhary, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said the department was working to combine strict enforcement with education.
“We are not only focused on enforcing penalties but also on educating two-wheeler riders about the importance of road safety,” he said, adding that campaigns are underway to promote safer riding behaviour.
Improper helmet usage a major concern
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rajeev Kumar underlined the issue of improper helmet usage.
“We frequently observe riders who either carry their helmets in their hands, opt for substandard or low-quality helmets, or neglect to fasten the straps properly,” Kumar said. “These practices render helmets ineffective in providing protection during accidents. It is crucial for riders to prioritise their safety by investing in high-quality helmets and wearing them correctly.”
Experts call for segregated lanes
Road safety experts have recommended creating dedicated two-wheeler lanes on busy roads to minimise collisions with larger, faster vehicles. They argue that segregating two-wheelers would enhance safety for this vulnerable group.
Currently, motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles constitute nearly 74% of Delhi’s motorised traffic. Without tailored infrastructure, riders weave through gaps between larger vehicles, creating informal multi-lane patterns that increase risks.
Cyclists equally vulnerable
Data released on April 20 revealed that Delhi recorded 28 road accidents involving cyclists in the first three months of 2025, resulting in 10 deaths and 21 injuries.
Of these, 18 were non-fatal accidents and 10 were fatal. In comparison, 2024 recorded 149 cyclist-related accidents — 96 simple and 53 fatal — with 53 deaths and 106 injuries.
Historical data shows a declining but inconsistent trend. In 2023, Delhi recorded 141 cyclist accidents (112 simple, 29 fatal), resulting in 30 deaths and 118 injuries. The fatality rate in 2022 was 43% higher, with 170 accidents, 48 deaths, and 134 injuries. In 2021, there were 147 accidents, resulting in 45 deaths and 123 injuries.
In one tragic case in March 2025, Rishal Singh, a 19-year-old Delhi University student and newspaper vendor from Budh Vihar, was killed while cycling near the RTO office dividing Rohini Sectors 15 and 16.
Singh, who worked mornings delivering newspapers to support his education, earned approximately Rs 12,000 a month. He was struck by a vehicle while waiting at a red light.
