‘Mobile phone usage while driving key reason for accidents’

Doctors of Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre have revealed that mobile phone usage while driving has emerged as one of the key contributors to road accidents, along with speeding and drunk driving.

The results were based on the findings that 1,525 road traffic accident cases treated at the hospital, involving patients from Madurai and neighbouring districts between January and December 2025, the doctors added.

Addressing the media on the occasion of the National Road Safety Awareness Week, observed from January 11 to 17, 2026, the hospital’s emergency medical team said the hospital’s own data for the recent year showed that a majority of the victims belonged to the 18-45 age group, the most economically productive segment of society.

Narendra Nath Jena – Director & Head, Emergency Medicine, said that road traffic accidents continued to be a major public health concern in India, causing avoidable deaths, disabilities, and long-term social and economic loss.

The week served as a reminder that responsible road behaviour could save countless lives. “We manage at least four to five road traffic accident cases every day. A majority of the victims are young. Two-wheeler riders, pedestrians, and cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. There is an urgent need for awareness and prevention of road accidents,” he added.

“We appeal to the public to make road safety a daily practice, wear helmets and seat belts, avoid speeding and rash driving, never drink and drive, refrain from mobile phone use while driving, and strictly follow traffic rules. While emergency services remain ever-ready to save lives, prevention through awareness and responsible behaviour is the most powerful tool,” Dr. Narendra Nath Jena noted.