Hit, run, repeat: 200 lives lost in 4 months in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The mowing down of a security guard by an SUV driver near Mahipalpur flyover on Sunday has brought the number of hit-and-run cases in Delhi this year to a staggering 503. Nearly 200 people were killed in these incidents - an average of 11 lives lost each week.Since 2023, about 1,500 people have lost their lives in hit-and-run cases across the national capital, revealed Delhi Police data. While 666 people were killed in 2023, the toll stood at 644 in 2024 and 190 till April 30, 2025. The data also showed that on a daily average, two persons were killed in 1,481 fatal crashes.A total of 2,810 people were injured in the incidents since 2023 - an average of three people daily. While 1,275 people were injured in 2023, next year saw 1,121 injuries. So far this year, 414 people have been injured.According to police, there are several factors behind hit-and-runs. The most common is speeding, where drivers tend to lose control of the vehicle. Other causes include drunk driving and using mobile phones."In hit-and-run cases, the drivers often do not stop, thinking they won't get caught or that no one would notice their vehicle number. Some also believe stopping could lead to them being beaten up," a senior police officer said.Most of the victims in hit-and-run cases were pedestrians - 343 were killed in 2023; 309 in 2024; and 92 in 2025. This was followed by two-wheeler riders, with 270 fatalities in 2023, 288 in 2024, and 88 this year.According to police, pedestrians are the most vulnerable due to various factors. These include attempting to cross busy roads quickly, speeding by vehicles, and lack of accessible foot-over bridges, leading them to cross roads directly. Jaywalking and mobile phone distraction while walking also add to the risk. Two-wheelers remain vulnerable due to the absence of dedicated lanes and riders taking shortcuts, which can lead to accidents.Special commissioner of police (traffic) Ajay Chaudhry said the department consistently organises awareness programmes aimed at educating road users and promoting safer driving habits in order to reduce the number of road accidents. Regular enforcement actions are carried out against people violating traffic rules, particularly those engaging in high-speed driving, drunk driving and other serious offences, he added.Rohit Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Education, said drivers lack awareness of the legal consequences of hit-and-run cases, which needs to be addressed. He emphasised the importance of forensic analysis in solving such cases. He also suggested public awareness campaigns to encourage people to report hit-and-run incidents and, if possible, take photos of the offending vehicles.Baluja noted the absence of pedestrian pathways and encroachment of footpaths, which forces pedestrians to cross busy roads and leaves them vulnerable. For two-wheelers, the lack of dedicated lanes means they have to navigate heavy traffic, increasing risk of accidents, he added.