Delhi hit-and-run incidents: Stricter laws have not strengthened deterrence
NEW DELHI: Rajesh, a diligent gardener and the sole breadwinner of his household, met with a tragic fate on Saturday. As he cycled to work in Bhogal, a speeding car crushed him, shattering not only hi...
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In New Delhi, a tragic incident occurred involving Rajesh, a dedicated gardener and the main provider for his family. While cycling to work in Bhogal, he was struck by a speeding car on Saturday, resulting in his untimely death. This not only shattered his own life but also disrupted the hopes and dreams of his wife and two children. Rajesh's death is just one of many similar cases where drivers of unidentified vehicles are involved in accidents, leading to delays and frustrations in the legal system. Hit-and-run incidents account for over 40% of crashes in the city, with drivers often fleeing due to a belief that they can manipulate legal processes with the help of lawyers or out of fear of public backlash. To address this issue, more comprehensive measures beyond the current Good Samaritan law are necessary. Efforts by traffic and local police have led to a decrease in hit-and-run fatalities, with collaborative strategies identifying high-risk areas and increasing law enforcement presence. Despite progress, statistics still show a significant number of fatalities due to road accidents, underscoring the importance of continued efforts to enhance road safety.Between January and May of 2023, the Ring Road, National Highway 24, NH 8, Rohtak Road, GTK Road, and Mathura Road are listed as some of the top 10 roads in the national capital where a significant number of fatal accidents have occurred this year. Previously, hit-and-run cases were prosecuted under IPC Section 304A with a maximum two-year sentence. With the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Section 106(2), the maximum imprisonment sentence has been increased to 10 years. However, a lack of public awareness may be contributing to the lack of deterrence.