Over 60% of crash victims in MP in 16-30 age group

Indore: Road accidents in Madhya Pradesh are disproportionately striking the state’s young and working-age population, with 61% of victims assisted by the 108 ambulance service over the past year falling in the 16-30 age group.Data from the emergency response service shows ambulances attended to 1.03 lakh road accident victims between May 2025 and April 2026 — an average of 283 victims every day. Of these, 85% were aged between 16 and 45 years, underlining the heavy toll road crashes are taking on the state’s most economically productive population.The largest share of victims came from the 16-30 age bracket, which alone accounted for 61% of all road trauma cases handled by the service. Another 24% were aged 31-45. In comparison, only 9% of victims were between 46 and 60 years, while those above 60 accounted for just 3%.The figures suggest that road crashes are not merely a traffic issue but a growing public health and economic concern, affecting people in their prime working years. Every serious crash often leaves behind families dealing with loss of income, long-term disability or prolonged medical expenses.Health experts say the numbers underline the vulnerability of young riders and drivers who spend more time on roads for education, employment and business activities.The burden, however, was not spread evenly through the year. May 2025 recorded the highest number of road trauma cases, with ambulances assisting 12,047 victims. The lowest number was recorded in February 2026 at 6,642 cases. The difference of more than 5,400 cases between the highest and lowest months points to significant seasonal fluctuations in road accident patterns, with the summer months emerging as the most accident-prone period of the year.With more than one lakh road accident victims requiring emergency ambulance assistance in just 12 months and the overwhelming majority aged below 45, the data highlights how road crashes are increasingly emerging as a crisis for the state’s youth and workforce rather than only a transportation challenge.