The other day, a friend of mine was casually scrolling through Instagram reels when she stumbled upon a disturbing video — a road accident that had occurred somewhere in India. It wasn’t graphic, but it was enough to shake her.

 

As someone who often travels alone on her scooter, the video struck a chord. Alarmed by what she saw, she made a snap decision: no more road travel, at least not on her scooter.

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When she shared this with me later that evening, I couldn’t help but reflect. I’m someone who enjoys the occasional evening walk, often using the same streets she rides.

 

Her fear began to echo in my own thoughts. If she didn’t feel safe on a two-wheeler, was I really any safer on foot?

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It’s a question that haunts many of us: Are our roads truly safe for anyone — drivers, riders, or pedestrians?

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Here’s what the data tells us