Morth Identifies 6 Road Safety States Demanding Premium Accessible Wheelchair Vehicles

The debate on road safety is usually about helmets, seat belts, speed limits and highway engineering. But one important factor is rarely discussed, and that is how safely the elderly and wheelchair users can travel after injury, surgery or permanent disability.

India continues to have one of the highest number of road accidents in the world leaving thousands with long term mobility impairments every year. This, along with an ageing population, has led to increased demand for safe and accessible vehicles.

According to the latest road safety statistics of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), a few states have been contributing to a large share of road crashes and fatalities in India. While these figures primarily guide enforcement and infrastructure improvements, they also indicate where demand for premium accessible wheelchair vehicles is likely to grow.

Understanding India’s Road Safety Challenge

According to MoRTH, lakhs of road accidents occur every year in India claiming large number of lives and causing serious injuries. The ministry is still investing in: · Road safety awareness

• Black spot fix

• Improved road engineering

• Emergency trauma treatment

• Driver education

• Technology-based law enforcement

However, the number of people needing temporary or permanent mobility assistance still generated by road accidents is huge.

For many families the challenge is not over with discharge from the hospital. Safe transportation is part of the daily routine for rehabilitation, medical appointments, work, education and social participation.

The Six States Driving Demand For Accessible Vehicles

MoRTH’s accident statistics consistently show that a few large states contribute disproportionately to India’s road crashes and fatalities due to their population, vehicle density, freight movement, and highway networks.

These include:

• Uttar Pradesh

• Tamil Nadu

• Maharashtra

• Karnataka

• Madhya Pradesh

• Rajasthan

Together, these states represent millions of daily road users and some of the country’s busiest transport corridors. High traffic volumes naturally increase the likelihood of accidents and mobility-related injuries, creating greater demand for accessible transportation solutions.

India’s Growing Accessible Vehicle Ecosystem

India has already started to realize the need for adapted vehicles.

The information shared in Parliament reveals that more than 96,000 adapted vehicles were registered between January 2020 and March 2025. The Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicle Rules have provisions for alterations and retro fitment of vehicles, and eligible persons with orthopaedic disabilities can avail of GST concessions on adapted vehicles.

It’s a slow but important movement towards inclusive mobility.

Why These Six States Need Better Accessible Transport

More accidents

More crashes means more people requiring rehabilitation and assisted mobility.

Accessible vehicles aid recovery by allowing safer travel to medical appointments, physiotherapy and everyday activities.

Growing Elderly Population

States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are seeing an increase in the elderly population.

Arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis and decreased muscular strength are age-related conditions that make it difficult to get into standard SUVs.

Powered transfer systems and swivel seats reduce the physical effort considerably.

Healthcare Infrastructure Expansion

Major hospitals and rehabilitation centres are based in cities like:

1. • Bangalore

   • Chennai

   • Mumbai

   • Pune

   • Lucknow

   • Jaipur

Patients often have to travel long distances to get specialist treatment. Comfortable, accessible vehicles reduce travel fatigue.

Rising Urban Traffic

Heavy traffic increases the importance of comfortable seating and easy boarding.

Repeated transfers into conventional vehicles become exhausting for wheelchair users during frequent medical visits.

Premium accessibility systems make daily transportation more manageable.

The Role of Premium Mobility Solutions

High-end access solutions are built to last and are comfortable for the user.

Products such as powered swivel seats, wheelchair transfer systems and accessible MPV conversions can convert ordinary passenger vehicles into convenient mobility solutions, without compromising on the comfort of the interior.

These solutions are becoming more and more relevant not only for people with permanent disabilities but also for:

• Older Americans

• People recovering from surgery

• Those with neurological disorders

• Users with weak lower body strength

Why Demand Is Expected to Grow

There are several long-term trends likely to speed up the adoption of accessible vehicles in India:

• Growing vehicle ownership

• Growing ageing population

• Better survival rates after trauma

• Increased rehabilitation services

• Increased awareness of inclusive mobility

• Adapted vehicles supported by government

• Better accessibility technologies

Awareness will increase and families will be expected to use safer means of transport rather than manual lifting or ad-hoc arrangements.

How JCBL Mobility Supports Accessible Transportation

As awareness about inclusive mobility grows, companies such as JCBL Mobility are bridging the gap with engineered solutions for accessibility in Indian conditions.

Its portfolio includes powered swivel seats and transfer systems, which enable elderly passengers, wheelchair users and people with limited mobility to get in and out of vehicles more safely. Such systems are intended to improve the passenger’s comfort and reduce the physical effort needed by caregivers.

These mobility solutions help families convert compatible vehicles into more accessible modes of transportation, rather than replacing an entire vehicle, making premium mobility practical for everyday use.