Tamil Nadu experienced 53 road deaths daily in 2026, while Chennai managed to reduce its fatalities.
The city reported 402 deaths between Jan and Oct, down from 420 a year earlier. Injuries fell to 2,865 from 2,997. Between Jan and June 2026, the state averaged 206 crashes a day, with the total nearly 6% higher than last year. But, the daily average rose to 210 between July and Sept. State has identified 7,723 hotspots and completed 5,356 interventions, leaving 2,367 awaiting action. The health department has expanded ambulance services, upgraded emergency rooms and provided treatment cover of up to `2 lakh for victims. More than 700 govt and empanelled private hospitals offer free care for first 48 hours.
“Enforcement against violations and improvements at accident-prone locations have contributed to this,” said joint commissioner of police for traffic, south, P Pakalavan. “We have told police to investigate locations with at least three crashes, including those without injuries or deaths,” Vaidhyan said. We must have at least two or three in every district,” said a govt doctor.
Police used number plate recognition cameras, speed radars and interceptor vehicles to identify offenders, while civic agencies closed unsafe median openings and improved lighting and signs. Police attributed the increase to personnel being diverted to election duty. Emergency doctors say districts still need more Emergency Care and Recovery Centres. “They help in stabilising patients.
