Agra-Lucknow Expressway Sees High Rate of Accidents Due to Fatigue, Overspeeding, and Other Factors

12Agra: As many as 7,024 road accidents were reported on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway between Jan 2021 and Sept 2025, claiming over 500 lives, according to data shared during the Supreme CourtRoad SafetyCommittee meeting held on Oct 24. The details were released on Thursday by Agra-based lawyer K C Jain, who participated in the meeting.Of these, 3,843 accidents (54.7%) were caused by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel, making fatigue the single biggest cause of crashes on the 300-km expressway. Other major factors included overspeeding — 690 accidents (9.8%), tyre bursts — 626 accidents (8.9%), and animal crossings — 249 accidents (3.5%). Another 1,616 accidents (23%) were attributed to miscellaneous causes, including 24 vehicle fires.Traffic volume has also surged sharply on the expressway. Data from the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) shows that daily vehicle movement has doubled since 2020, rising from 5,45,764 in Jan 2020 to 11,16,390 in Jan 2025—an average of over 36,000 vehicles a day.Cars make up the majority of vehicles on the expressway, accounting for 64.3% of total traffic. Between 2021 and Sept this year, there were 3,881 car-related accidents, resulting in 4,264 injuries and 369 deaths.Two-wheeler traffic also rose by 30% during the same period, from 31,361 in Jan 2020 to 40,667 in Jan 2025. Officials noted that violations such as triple riding and riding without helmets were common. Between 2021 and Sept 2025, 769 two-wheeler accidents left 1,053 injured and 133 dead.The report also flagged inadequate public facilities on the expressway. At present, there are only two rest stops on each side — at 105 km and 227 km (Agra–Lucknow direction) and 217 km and 101 km (Lucknow–Agra direction).As per Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms, such amenities should be available every 40–60 km, and according to the revised 2025 draft, every 30–40 km.UPEIDA has now proposed additional sites at 160 km and 165 km milestones.Speaking to TOI, K C Jain said, "When the expressway's speed limit is 120 km/h, should two-wheelers be allowed at all? The ministry of road transport & highways bars two- and three-wheelers, bicycles, and animal carts on access-controlled expressways.At least five rest areas in each direction are essential for safety."He added, "Roads are symbols of development, not paths to death. The data shows this is not mere negligence—it's a human tragedy. The Supreme Court Committee must act urgently and create a national framework for expressway safety."The 302.2-km six-lane Agra–Lucknow Expressway, expandable to eight lanes, begins at the Agra inner ring road and passes through Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Kannauj, Kanpur Nagar, Hardoi, and Unnao, ending near Lucknow.GFXHead: PATH OF PERIL?Drivers dozing off: 3,843 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Sudden animal crossings: 249 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Tyre bursts: 626 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Speeding: 690 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)Other causes, including vehicle fires: 1,616 accidents (Jan 2021–Sept 2025)(Highlight the points below separately)Traffic volume doubled between 2020 and 2025 — from 5.4 lakh to 11.1 lakh vehicles per monthFrom 2021 to 2025, as many as 3,881 car-related accidents resulted in 369 deaths, while 133 lives were lost in two-wheeler incidents