World Bank report: “Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society”

The World Bank recently published its report titled “Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities: The Burden on Indian Society”. This report was released by Union transport minister, Nitin Gadkari, on February 13, 2021. The report mentions the disproportionate impact of a road crash on poor households.  It also throws light on the links between poverty, road crashes, inequality and vulnerable road users across India.

Key Findings of the report

• The report highlights that, India has only 1 per cent of the world’s vehicles. Even though it accounts for 11 per cent of the global death due to road accidents. It stands highest death toll in the world because of road accident.
• The world bank report highlighted that the road crash deaths among rural poor households accounts for 44 per cent.
• While, the road crash death among urban poor households accounts for 11.6 per cent.
• The report further highlights that, the low-income household spends seven months of its income on post-road crash care.
• It also states, a high-income household spends less than a month’s salary on the post-road crash care.
• Report reveals that, the socio-economic burden of road crashes is disproportionately borne by poor households.
• It also reveals that the women bore the brunt of caregiving after a crash. This results into more financial and mental stress this exacerbate the inequality of opportunities.

The World Bank notes that the road crashes have a devastating and disproportionate impact on the poor households. It can throw the family into deep poverty. In that light, the World Bank showed its commitment to support the government in order to create a safety nets for poor households. The safety net would help in easing the financial burden of the poor families. It will also help them to face the challenge of the emergency linked to road crashes.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2021