TRAFFIC CRASH INJURIES AND DISABILITIES: THE BURDEN ON INDIAN SOCIETY TAMIL NADU This state fact sheet highlights the impact of road crashes on people belonging to different social categories in the state. The fact sheet uses data from the 2021 study titled “Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society”. The fact sheet depicts data on the average costs of road crashes, insurance compensation, disability status, and so on. Tamil Nadu is a southern state in India, which is the most populated state in the country. With 37 districts, the state has a projected 2020 population of 7.78 crores, with a nominal Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2020-21 of INR 20,91,927 crore3. The per capita GSDP of Tamil Nadu at constant prices was INR 1,56,041 in 2018-19. The urbanisation rate in Tamil Nadu is high. As of 2011, 48.45 % of Tamil 37 Districts Nadu’s population resides in urban areas7. Tamil Nadu recorded 2,61,09,0001 registered vehicles as of March, 2017. The state also witnessed 57,228 road crashes and 10,5252 road crash deaths in 2019 alone, making it the state with the 6th highest road crash deaths in 2019. Based on several factors like proportion of urban population, literacy rate, poverty rate and per capita net state GDP, Tamil Nadu has been categorised as a “High Capacity Population State” in this study. Tamil Nadu also has a relatively high female literacy rate. As of 7.78 Crores 2011, the female literacy rate in the state was 73.86%, while male literacy rate was 86.81%6. In terms of State performance on meeting the SDG goals, Tamil Nadu scores 67 on the index.This indicates that Tamil Nadu has met 67% of the SDG targets for 20304. The state has also scored 72 on the SDG of no poverty. 2017 2,61,09,000 Registered vehicles Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society 2019 57,228 2019 10,5252 6th highest road road road crash crash crashes deaths deaths in 2019 GDP 2011 2011 73.86% 86.81%6 High female male Capacity literacy literacy State rate rate 1. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, “Road NITI Aayog Website, December 20, 2019, Accessed on Transport Yearbook”, Ministry of Road Transport and October 9, 2020, https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/ Highways website, September 23, 2019, Accessed on SDG-India-Index-2.0_27-Dec.pdf October 9, 2020, https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/ 5. Unique Identification Authority of India, “State/ UT files/Road%20Transport%20Year%20Book%202016- wise AADHAR Saturation Data”, UIDAI website, May 31, 17.pdf 2020, Accessed on October 9, 2020, https://uidai.gov. 2. National Crime Records Bureau, “Accidental Deaths in/images/state-wise-aadhaar-saturation.pdf and Suicides in India”, National Crime Records Bureau 6. 2011 Census India, “Tamil Nadu data”, Census India Website, August 28, 2020, Accessed on October 9, 2020, website, 2011, Accessed on October 9, 2020, https:// https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/ADSI_2019_ censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/ FULL%20REPORT_updated.pdf tamilnadu/3.Tamil%20Nadu_PPT_2011-BOOK%20 3. PRS India, “Tamil Nadu Budget Analysis 2020-21”, PRS FINAL.pdf India website, February, 2020, Accessed on October 7. State Planning Commission, “Chapter 7: Urbanisation, 9, 2020, https://www.prsindia.org/parliamenttrack/ 12th Five Year Plan Tamil Nadu”, State Planning budgets/tamil-nadu-budget-analysis-2020-21 Commission website, 2012, Accessed on October 9, 4. NITI Aayog, “SDG India Index & Dashboard, 2019-20”, 2020, http://www.spc.tn.gov.in/12plan_english/7%20 Urbanisation.pdf PROFILE OF THE SAMPLE IN many as 179 (35.1%) of the victims were chief wage earners. 40.2% of the victims live(d) in urban areas. TAMIL NADU: • 102 of the households had a family member that died • A total of 510 respondents (victims and household as a result of the road crash (20%). About 4.3% of these members) participated in the survey for the PSIA study. victims died at the crash scene. In addition, 51 victims Among them, 103 respondents (20.2%) belonged to suffered from some disability (10%). Out of these, 39 High Income Households (HIH), and 407 respondents victims (76.5%) developed a long term disability. (79.8%) belonged to Low Income Households (LIH). The average monthly household income for HIH was • The average estimated Out of Pocket Expenses borne approximately INR 2.05 lakhs, and for LIH, the income by victims/ household members across households was INR 32,125. In addition, 100 truck drivers with an was INR 61,976. About 90% of the respondents average income of INR 27,850 were included in the received some form of compensation. survey. 77.8% of the respondents were male road crash victims, and 22.7% were female road crash victims. As TABLE 1: RESPONDENT PROFILE Particulars Tamil Nadu Participants (#, %) in HIH 103 (20.2) Average monthly household income for HIH (INR) 2,04,612 Participants (#, %) in LIH 407 (79.8) Average monthly household income for LIH (INR) 32,125 Participants (#) as truck drivers 100 Average monthly income from driving profession for truck drivers (INR) 27,850 % of female victims 22.7 #, % crash deaths (102) 20.0 #,% with major crash injury (408) 80.0 #,% recovered with some disability (51) 12.5* #,% have long term mobility disability (39) 76.5 % of victims who were chief wage earner 179 (35.1) *taken as a percentage figure of total major injuries. Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society PROFILE OF VICTIMS BASED ON THE the female victims that died in urban areas were from HIH. For males, the proportion of victims that died was OUTCOME OF THE CRASH: higher for LIH in both urban and rural areas, with LIH comprising 100% of the male victims in urban areas, • Based on the outcome of the crash, most of the victims and 88.7% of the male victims in rural areas. 66.7% of that died belonged to low income households. For the female victims that died in rural areas belonged to urban areas, 93.8% of the victims that died belonged LIH, and 33.3% belonged to HIH. to LIH and in rural areas, 80.2% of the victims that died belonged to LIH. • Proportion of male and female victims that survived in both urban and rural areas was higher for LIH than for • Further, it can be observed that 83.3% of the female HIH. victims that died in urban areas from LIH and 16.7% of CHART 1: HABITATION- WISE TRENDS OF ROAD CRASH OUTCOMES Chart 1a: % of victims that survived in urban areas Chart 1b: % of victims that survived in rural areas 80 73.8% 100 Overall 68.8% 88.1% 88.1% 88.2% 70 Male 59.7% 80 Female 60 50 60 40.3% 40 31.2% 30 26.2% 40 20 20 11.9% 11.9% 11.8% 10 0 0 LIH HIH LIH HIH Chart 1c: % of victims that died in urban areas Chart 1d: % of victims that died in rural areas 100% 100 93.8% 100 88.7% 83.3% 80.2% 80 80 66.7% 60 60 40 40 33.3% 19.8% 20 16.7% 20 11.3% 6.3% 0% 0 0 LIH HIH LIH HIH FINANCIAL IMPACT OF ROAD of the household due to the road crash, while 47.6% of HIH admitted to the same. Further, a larger number of cases of CRASHES IN TAMIL NADU: OOPE, property sale, money borrowing, and relocation were observed in LIH than in HIH. 59% of LIH admitted that there was a decline in total income CHART 2: FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE VICTIM HOUSEHOLD 59% LIH 60 53.3% HIH 50 47.6% 40 35.9% 30% 31.2% 30 20 14.6% 13.8% 10.7% 11.1% 10 1.9% 1.9% 0 Decline in Out of pocket Had to sell/ Had to Had to relocate Any household total income expenses mortgage family borrow money for treatement member had of household increased assets (from anyone) for more than to relocate 30 days permanently Out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) is the CHART 3: % OF VICTIMS/FAMILIES THAT FACED OOPE payment made directly by individuals at the 60 54.5% LIH (% yes) point of service where the entire cost of the 48.8% HIH (% yes) health good or service is not covered under 50 any financial protection scheme. The OOPE 38.8% for HIH was higher than for LIH. Total OOPE 40 in Tamil Nadu was INR 58,701 for LIH, and 30 INR 74,913 for HIH. 82.1% of the LIH where 22.2% the victim survived admitted to paying 20 OOPE, while 63.7% of the of the HIH where victims had survived admitted to paying 10 OOPE. 0 Survived Died Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society LOSSES INCURRED DUE TO 2,49,081 respectively. As HIH have significantly higher income than LIH, the loss of income was higher for HIH than ROAD CRASHES: for LIH. Loss of property and legal expenses accounted for about 14.2% and 4.3% of LIH losses respectively, and 16.1% The total losses faced by 407 low income households and and 4.6% of HIH losses respectively. The breakup of the 103 high income households was INR 1,42,350, and INR losses is as follows: CHART 4: LOSSES INCURRED DUE TO ROAD CRASH (INR) LIH 120000 113,340 HIH 100000 80000 74,913 58,701 60000 52,399 40,097 40000 20,201 20000 11,391 6,190 9,340 4,857 0 0 0 Loss of Loss of property/ Out of pocket Legal/ Amount paid to Others income during vehicle etc. expenses on administrative/ other vehicle/ (hospital visits, period of due to road treatment of compensation person involved loss of belongings, treatment crash victim expenses in crash food expenses, travel, etc.) MECHANISM TO COPE WITH FINANCIAL LOSSES: Interestingly, a larger proportion of HIH (94.2%) spent from family savings to cope with the losses than LIH (77.9%). About 31% of LIH had to arrange for a loan as opposed This can be attributed to the fact that savings will be larger to 14.6% of HIH. Further, a larger proportion of LIH had to for HIH than for LIH. resort to selling assets, and taking on extra work than HIH. CHART 5: MECHANISM TO COPE WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF ROAD CRASHES (%YES) LIH HIH 100 94.2% 77.9% 80 60 40 31.4% 30.2% 29% 25.2% 19.4% 21.6% 20.4% 20 14.6% 10.7% 4.9% 5.2% 5.2% 2.9% 1% 2.2% 1% 0 Arranged Sold/ Took on extra Compensation Received Received Dependent Reveived Spent from a loan mortgage work by from the compensation compensation was provided compensation family assets household insurance under for employer job by from other savings members company schemes employer/ party involved govt. (monthly in a road income) crash COMPENSATION AVAILED AND Among those that availed compensation , 88.7% of the LIH victims, and 94.1% of HIH victims received RECEIVED UNDER MOTOR VEHICLE, the eligible compensation. In terms of time taken, MEDICAL, AND LIFE INSURANCE LIH victims received their compensation in about 2.2 months while HIH victims received it in about 2.4 SCHEMES: months. • 28.5% of LIH victims and 32% HIH victims/ • A mere 2.5% of LIH, and 1.9% of HIH victims/family family members availed motor vehicle insurance members availed life insurance compensation. Among compensation. Among those that availed those that availed compensation , 40% of the LIH compensation, 75.9% of the LIH victims, and 66.7% victims, and 50% of HIH victims received the eligible of HIH victims received the eligible compensation. compensation. In terms of time taken, LIH victims In terms of time taken, LIH victims received their received their compensation in about 3.8 months, and compensation in about 3.9 months while HIH victims HIH in about 5 months. received it in about 6.4 months. • 17.4% of LIH victims and 16.5% HIH victims/family members availed medical insurance compensation. Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society CHART 6: VICTIMS THAT AVAILED AND RECEIVED COMPENSATION FROM INSURANCE (% YES) 100 94.1% 88.7% 80 75.9% 66.7% 60 50% 40% 40 32% 28.5% 17.4% 16.5% 20 2.5% 1.9% 0 Availed (LIH) Received eligible Availed (HIH) Received eligible compensation (LIH) compensation (HIH) Motor vehicle insurance compensation Medical insurance compensation Life insurance compensation CHART 7: AVERAGE TIME TAKEN (MONTHS) TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION Motor vehicle 3.9 insurance compensation 6.4 Medical 2.2 insurance compensation 2.4 Average time taken (month) LIH Life insurance 3.8 compensation Average time 5 taken (month) HIH 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DIFFICULTY IN AVAILING COMPENSATION: When asked about the difficulty in availing compensation, a larger proportion of LIH (9.8%) affirmatively responded than HIH (5.8%). CHART 8: RESPONSES WHETHER VICTIM/ HOUSEHOLD MEMBER FACED ANY DIFFICULTY WHILE AVAILING COMPENSATION (%) 100 LIH 83.5% HIH 80 78.4% 60 40 20 11.3% 9.8% 5.8% 10.7% 0.5% 0 Yes No NA DK/CS When asked whether a case was filed, a larger percentage of HIH (19.4%) admitted to filing a case in the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) than LIH (17.7%). CHART 9: RESPONSES WHETHER VICTIM/ FAMILY FILED A CASE IN MACT (%) 60 57.3% 50 42.8% 39.6% 40 30 23.3% 17.7% 19.4% 20 Yes 10 No DK/CS 0 LIH HIH Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society TRUCK DRIVER’S AWARENESS 2019. As high as 55% of the truck drivers were unaware about the time limit for filing cases for compensation, LEVELS ON MOTOR THIRD PARTY which is 6 months from the crash occurrence. Further, LIABILITY INSURANCE: as high as 45% of the drivers were unaware about the insurance company’s liability to designate an officer to Among the 100 truck drivers surveyed in Tamil Nadu, half assist claimants in the claim settlement process. 53% of the truck drivers were unaware that the attendant or of the respondents were unaware that Motor Third Party khalasi is also covered under the motor third party liability Liability Insurance is mandatory, and that the Police can insurance under the Motor Vehicles (Amendement) Act, charge fines for uninsured vehicles. CHART 10: AWARENESS LEVEL OF TRUCK DRIVERS ON MOTOR THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE Not Aware Fully Aware 60 Somewhat Aware 55% 55% 53% 54% 50% 50% 50 47% 46% 45% 40 38% 38% 31% 33% 33% 30 30% 27% 28% 26% 26% 24.8% 19% 20 16% 17% 17% 17% 17% 16% 16% 10 The purchase If the vehicle Motor third Motor third If someone The Along with The time In case of motor third is uninsured, party liability party liability else is at compensation driver, limitation of road party liability you/ owner insurance insurance fault for an you are truck, for filing of crash, insurance is may be provides does not crash & eligible to attendant cases for insurance compulsary personally compensation provide you incur receive may (Khalasi) compensation company is and you may liable to pay to other compensation injuries, be reduced is also for injuries liable to be fined by the for injuries people for for injuries you may be if you covered before the designate police if caused to their injuries you incur able to claim breach a for benefits claims an officer vehicle is others if you if the if the compensation traffic law under third tribunal to help you uninsured are at fault crash is crash from the party is 6 months with the for crash your fault is your fault insurer the insurance from the process of vehicle is under MVAA, date of the settlement insured with 2019 crash of your claim TYPE OF CAREGIVER FOR VICTIM: proportion of victims from LIH (3%) that took care of themselves post the crash than HIH victims (1.6%). Also, a In the case of both LIH and HIH, the majority of the victims greater proportion of male caregivers for LIH than for LIH. had a female family member as their caregiver (81% for LIH and 67.7% for HIH). Interestingly, there was a greater CHART 11: TYPE OF FAMILY MEMBER THAT TOOK CARE OF THE ROAD CRASH VICTIM Self Male Female 80 81% 70 67.7% 60 50 6.8% 4.8% DK/CS 16.9% DK/CS 37% 40 No No Yes Yes 30 30.6% 20 16% 56.2% 78.3% 10 3% 1.6% 0 LIH HIH HEALTH IMPACT ON HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS WITH VICTIMS: 34.3% of the victims from LIH admitted that their family/ household members developed health problems post crash, and 35.6% of the HIH victim household members developed health problems post crash. CHART 12: RESPONSES ON WHETHER HEALTH PROBLEMS DEVELOPED IN HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS Chart 12a: 34.3% 35.6% Chart 12b: Household Household members of the members of the victim developed Yes victim developed health problems: health problems: LIH No HIH 65.7% 64.4% Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society 0.8% 43.7% DK/CS 35.6% DK/CS No No Yes Yes 55.5% 64.4% FOOD CONSUMPTION STATUS OF HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS OF THE VICTIM: As high as 43.7% of the LIH victim’s household members admitted that their food consumption has decreased post crash, while 35.6% of the HIH victim’s household members admitted that their food consumption has decreased post crash. CHART 13: RESPONSES ON WHETHER FOOD CONSUMPTION FOR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS DECREASED 0.8% Chart 13a: Chart 13b: Food 43.7% 35.6% Food consumption of consumption of victim’s household Yes victim’s household members has members has decreased: LIH No decreased: HIH DK/CS 55.5% 64.4% PROPORTION OF VICTIMS THAT FACED ANY DISABILITY: In Tamil Nadu, a higher proportion of LIH victims faced disabilities than HIH victims. 47 (14.6%) of the respondents from LIH, and 4 (4.7%) of the respondents from HIH reported a disability. Among them, 29.8% of LIH reported a serious disability (*Note: no HIH reported a serious disability). TABLE 2: RESPONSES ON WHETHER VICTIMS FACED A DISABILITY LIH HIH Particulars N %Yes N %Yes Tamil Nadu 323 14.60% 85 4.70% 0.8% DK/CS 50.7% DK/CS 40.8% No No Yes Yes 58.4% 49.3% PROPORTION OF HOUSEHOLDS, In Tamil Nadu, 40.8% of LIH and 50.7% of HIH reported that the victim or a household member suffered from WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS FACED depression 4.8% post the crash. 2.1% DEPRESSION 52.7% DK/CS 33.7% DK/CS No No CHART 14: RESPONSES ON WHETHER THE VICTIM/ HOUSEHOLD Yes MEMBER SUFFERED FROM Yes DEPRESSION 0.8% Chart 14a: Chart 14b: Responses on 50.7% Responses on whether vctim/ 40.8% whether vctim/ household 45.2% 61.5% Yes household member suffered member suffered from depression: No from depression: LIH DK/CS HIH 58.4% 49.3% DIFFICULTY IN SLEEPING FOR THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS POST CRASH: In Tamil Nadu, as high as 32.7% of the household members from LIH faced difficulty in sleeping, while 38.4% of the household members from HIH faced the same. CHART 15: RESPONSES ON WHETHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS HAVE DIFFICULTY IN SLEEPING Chart 15a: Chart 15b: Responses on 24.9% 32.7% 26% 38.4% Responses on whether whether household household Yes members have members have difficulty in difficulty in Sometimes sleeping (HIH) sleeping (LIH) No, sleep well 42.4% 35.6% Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF VICTIMS: RESPONSES ON WHETHER AN FIR WAS FILED FOR THE ROAD CRASH THAT THE In Tamil Nadu, LIH on an average, took 8 more days than HIH to return to their previous occupation, with LIH VICTIM WAS INVOLVED IN: taking an average of 33 days to return to their occupation and HIH taking 25 days for the same. Further, on an In Tamil Nadu, 35.9% of the LIH and 15.5% of the HIH claim average it took LIH 120 days, and HIH 60 days to find a that no FIR was filed for the road crash case that the victim new occupation. was involved in. CHART 16: WAS AN FIR FILED FOR THE ROAD CRASH THAT THE VICTIM WAS INVOLVED IN? 80 70 66% 59.2% 60 50 40 35.9% 30 18.4% 20 15.5% Yes 10 4.9% No DK/CS 0 LIH HIH Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society