, over 30,486 people died in hit-and-run accidents in 2022—a staggering 17% increase from the previous year.){kind=link}
India leads the world not only in road accident fatalities but also in deaths caused by hit-and-run cases. According to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 30,486 people died in hit-and-run accidents in 2022—a staggering 17% increase from the previous year.
Even 114-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh fell victim to a hit-and-run incident recently. In Punjab’s Jalandhar rural region, all 117 road accident deaths in a year were classified as hit-and-run cases. Similarly, Delhi reported that 49% of its road accident deaths were due to hit-and-run incidents.
Dangerous Mix Making India the Hit-and-Run Capital
Experts blame a lethal combination of factors: reckless driving, vulnerable pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, poor road design, inadequate infrastructure, and near-zero enforcement. The “SUV mindset,” VIP culture, and systemic corruption further embolden drivers to flee the scene.
India also lacks robust forensic road crash investigations. In most cases, no one tries to understand what actually happened during the crash—drivers are usually blamed by default, especially if they were operating larger vehicles. In some instances, police are accused of classifying cases as hit-and-run simply to avoid lengthy investigations.
Fear of Mob Violence Drives Drivers to Flee
Rohit Baluja, a forensic road accident expert who trains law enforcement officers, points to both psychological and systemic reasons why drivers flee. These include underage or unlicensed driving, intoxication, and most notably, the fear of being attacked by bystanders or local mobs at the scene. He explains that even well-meaning drivers who might want to help victims often flee in panic.
Year-wise Hit-and-Run Deaths in India:
- 2018 – 28,619
- 2019 – 29,354
- 2020 – 23,159
- 2021 – 25,938
- 2022 – 30,486
Solutions to Curb Hit-and-Run Incidents
Apart from scientific investigations, digital tools can help track and deter offenders.
- FASTag data can trace a vehicle’s movement through toll plazas.
- Increased camera surveillance and coverage zones can help monitor highways effectively.
- Cameras should be integrated with Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems (ANPRS) to track vehicles in real time.
Countries like Japan, the UAE, and many in Europe have successfully reduced road fatalities. Experts say there’s no reason why India cannot do the same—what’s needed is the will to act.