50% rise in hit-and-run cases

Hit-And-Run cases are on the rise in the city, with January-May recording a 50 per cent increase in such accidents compared to the corresponding period last year.

The statistics have left traffic police scratching their heads, as in hit-and-run cases it is difficult to trace the suspects.

From January to May, there were 280 hit-and-run cases, of which 68 were fatal accidents, claiming 71 lives. The hit-and-run cases this year left 626 people injured.

Police records show that during the first five months last year, 186 hit-and-run cases were recorded, of which 49 were fatal accidents, claiming 50 lives.

Overall, 2009 recorded 481 hit-and-run accidents, of which 104 were fatal accidents, leading to 106 deaths.
The 280 hit-and-runs in January-May this year are a 50 per cent increase over the 186 in January-May 2009.

Offence on offence
"People have a tendency to run away after they commit the crime. But they don't realise that it's legally binding to inform the police, and if they don't they are committing another offence," said Deputy Commisioner of Police Manoj Patil.

Areas like Hinjewadi, Hadapsar, Vishrantwadi and others with wide roads and proximity to highways witness most hit-and-run cases, with pedestrians and cyclists being the most common victims, said the officer.

Prevention difficult
"Preventing a hit-and-run is very difficult, and so is tracing the suspects," said Patil.

As a result of the difficulties involved in tracking down suspects, investigations tend to drag. Recently, the police let off a Brigadier's son in a hit-and-run on February 10.

"In many cases the suspects are arrested much later, when their names are revealed during investigations on the basis of the vehicle number," said Patil.

Compensation for the victims also gets delayed in such cases, said Patil.