The tragic death of legendary marathoner Fauja Singh, 114, in a hit-and-run accident in Punjab has once again highlighted India’s worsening road safety crisis. In 2022 alone, over 30,400 people were killed in hit-and-run cases out of 1.68 lakh road fatalities. The numbers are alarming, but the bigger question remains—why do drivers flee instead of helping victims? The answers lie in a mix of fear, corruption, and a lack of accountability.
In India, accidents are rarely investigated properly. Police often classify cases as hit-and-run to avoid the responsibility of a detailed probe. Families of victims are left with no closure. The problem is not just about reckless drivers, but also about a corrupt and careless system that allows killers to escape without punishment.
Experts say there are multiple reasons why drivers run away after accidents. Fear of being lynched by an angry crowd is one major factor. Drivers also fear legal trouble, especially when they don’t have valid licences, are underage, or are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Rohit Baluja, a road safety expert, points out that there is little fear of the law in India. “VIP culture, a lack of awareness about legal responsibilities, and fear of mob violence make drivers flee instead of helping the injured,” he says. The Good Samaritan law, which protects those who help accident victims, is not widely known.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a driver who causes a fatal accident and reports it faces up to 5 years in jail. But if they flee without reporting, the punishment can be up to 10 years. Yet, due to weak enforcement and corruption, many drivers escape with little or no punishment.
The story of Rakesh Singh, whose son was killed in a hit-and-run in 2009, is a telling example. Singh, an engineer, was forced to investigate on his own because the police did nothing beyond filing an FIR. In just 15 days, he tracked down the driver. “If I could do it, why can’t the police with all their resources?” he asks. Singh eventually left his job to fight for road safety.
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India is rapidly becoming the hit-and-run capital of the world. In Delhi alone, nearly half of all road accident deaths are hit-and-run cases. Government data shows that between 2018 and 2022, hit-and-runs consistently accounted for 17–19% of road accident fatalities.
The system is broken at multiple levels. Police officers admit that hit-and-run cases are treated as “dry cases” because there is no money to be made. When culprits are traced, bribes often settle the matter. There is no culture of forensic investigation, which is common in developed nations.
Experts stress the need for technology-driven enforcement. With FASTags, highway cameras, and Automated Number Plate Recognition Systems (ANRS), culprits can be easily identified if authorities are serious. But without political will, these tools remain underutilised.
Poor road design and lack of pedestrian safety add to the crisis. Roads are built for vehicles, not for people walking, jogging, or cycling. Potholes, missing road signs, and poorly lit areas are death traps. Reckless speeding, especially by drivers of luxury SUVs, adds to the menace.
Another dark reality is that some murders are staged as hit-and-run accidents to claim insurance. This makes the need for proper forensic investigation even more critical. Skid marks, tyre patterns, and broken vehicle parts can reveal the truth, but rarely are such investigations conducted in India.
The socio-economic cost of road crashes in India is estimated to be 3.14% of the country’s GDP. Yet, the government and law enforcement agencies have failed to make roads safer. Countries like Japan and the UAE have drastically reduced road accident deaths through strict enforcement and public awareness campaigns. India can do the same if there is intent.
Families like Rakesh Singh’s should not have to play detective to get justice. Law enforcement agencies are paid by taxpayers to protect lives, not to look the other way. The death of Fauja Singh should be a wake-up call for authorities to act.
In the 10 minutes it takes to read this article, three people in India have lost their lives to road accidents. Their families will likely never get justice unless India fixes its corrupt, careless system.
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