Mumbai: Maharashtra recorded an 8% decline in fatal road crashes and fatalities in the first four months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to transport department data released on Thursday. Nearly three lakh riders were caught travelling without helmets during the four-month period.Officials said the improvement came alongside intensified enforcement across the state, though violations such as riding without helmets remained alarmingly high. Between January and April, fatal crashes fell by 448 cases, while the number of deaths dropped by 448, additional transport commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said. The total number of accidents also saw a 2% decline, from 12,610 in January-April 2025 to 12,389 in the corresponding period this year.Authorities also registered 22,360 cases of speeding, booked 7,145 motorists for triple-seat riding on two-wheelers, and prosecuted 18,172 drivers for not wearing seat belts.District-wise, Washim recorded the sharpest fall in road fatalities at 37%, followed by Beed at 29% and Nagpur at 29%.
