Hit-and-run drivers get away in ‘dark’ road zones

In spite of CCTV cameras being installed in most parts of the city, hit-andrun cases — where the driver of the vehicle that has caused the damage does not wait to offer assistance — often remain untraced.

Most hit-and-run mishaps occur either on the ORR or the outskirts of the city where there are not many CCTV cameras. Most accidents happen at night or early in the morning so there are often no eyewitnesses who would notice the registration number.

Mr Krishna Prasad, additional DG, State Road Safety Authority, said, "We are working on preventive measures and prevention is only possible with enforcement. The major cause of accidents is human error. It could be the driver's fault or a pedestrian crossing the road in a wrong manner, or driving on the national highway on the wrong side. But 90 per cent of accidents happen due to three reasons: speeding, drunken driving and over loading."

He said in 50 per cent of accidents the age group of the driver is between 18 and 35. Pedestrians and two-wheeler drivers are the main victims of hitand-run accidents. “There are still many places where CCTV cameras need to be installed. It is easier for the offenders to escape from the outskirts as there is less surveillance.'”

He said speeding can be curbed by using laser speed guns, drunken driving by using breathalysers and overloading by measuring the loads carried by the vehicles. But all this equipment is expensive and not readily available.

“We are trying to get this equipment in large numbers and when we do, we will begin enforcement,” Mr Prasad said.