NEW DELHI: A tragic incident occurred on Saturday as Rajesh, a hardworking gardener and the main provider for his family, was fatally hit by a speeding car while cycling to work in Bhogal. This unfortunate event not only ended Rajesh's life but also shattered the hopes and dreams of his wife and two children. Rajesh's death is just one of many in cases where FIRs are filed against drivers of unknown vehicles, who often secure quick bail if caught later, leaving the cases lingering in the legal system for years. Shockingly, over 40% of accidents in the city are caused by hit-and-run incidents or "accidents by unknown vehicles." The rising number of such cases is attributed to drivers believing they can navigate legal proceedings with the help of lawyers afterward, while some fear public backlash, leading them to flee the scene. A senior police officer mentioned that most individuals fleeing accident scenes do so out of fear of physical harm, exploitation, or legal entanglements. To address this fear, measures need to go beyond the protections of the Good Samaritan law. Effective enforcement efforts have led to a decline in hit-and-run incidents, with collaborative efforts by traffic and local police identifying hotspots and increasing deployment in those areas. Statistics show that by May 15, 518 individuals had died in 511 fatal accidents, with the numbers reaching over 700 by August 15. However, the police stated that these figures were still lower compared to the previous year, where 552 fatalities occurred in 544 collisions during the same period.During the January to May period in 2023, notable roadways in the national capital such as Ring Road, National Highway (NH) 24, NH 8, Rohtak Road, GTK Road, and Mathura Road have experienced a high number of fatal accidents. Previously, hit-and-run incidents were prosecuted under IPC Section 304A, with a maximum penalty of two years. However, the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Section 106(2) has raised the maximum prison term to 10 years. Despite this change, a lack of awareness may contribute to a lack of deterrence.
