Hit-and-run cases haunts the twin cities and its outskirts
Hit-and-run cases haunts the twin cities and its outskirts
Hyderabad: An increasing number of hit-and-run cases haunts the twin cities and its outskirts.
More than 10 cases are reported each month in Hyderabad, and 16 in Cyberabad. Most of these accidents happened at night, and most of the vehicles are suspected to be cars and heavy vehicles.
Experts says that in hit-and-run cases there are complications for victims to seek compensation and vehicle insurance. If the suspect is caught, there are criminal consequences.
Cyberabad traffic police said there were 158 hit-and-run cases till October this year in the city’s outskirts, while Hyderabad traffic police recorded 81 cases till August 2014 in the twin cities.
Police officials said the number of cases are higher in the outskirts due to lack of surveillance and less traffic and witnesses. Cyberabad police records show more than 95 per cent of the hit-and-run cases took place at night.
The victims have few chances of getting compensation. “Most often vehicle insurance is denied in hit-and-run cases since the accused vehicle is not known.
The insurance company usually recovers money from the accused vehicle owner when the compensation decided by the court is higher than the liability. In hit-and-run cases, there are no chances of recovering money from the accused. Most claims are denied outright,” said a senior High Court advocate.
However, there is a lesser known compensation scheme run by the government for victims for hit and run cases under Section 161 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Injured victims get Rs 12,500, while kin of deceased get Rs 25,000.
“If the victim is injured, he or she will get Rs 12,500. If the victim dies, his or kin will get Rs 25,000. The victim or his legal representative should apply to the claim enquiry officer in the taluka.
The officer will submit a PME report or injury certificate to the district collector who will process the claims and sanction the payment within 15 days,” said Mr P. Ramesh, a city based advocate.
Witnesses fear legal tangles:
Muhammad Tayyib, 28, was on his way home in Pahadi Shareef when he saw a truck crashing through a temporary road divider after dashing into a two wheeler. He saw the two bike riders falling on the road and the truck speeding away.
Mr Tayyib, with his five-year experience of working in a petrol bunk, had the presence of mind to remember the truck’s registration number. However, he was not sure if he should inform the police and get into the legal trouble of being a witness.
Experts say that in several hit-and-run cases, the accused drivers get away and witnesses worry about “legal troubles”.
Senior traffic police officials say that the within the city, increasing infrastructure like CCTV cameras can check hit-and-run cases up to an extent.
“We have more than 350 CCTV cameras, including infrared cameras, and use the footage to identify vehicles in these cases. Increase in this can curb such cases to some extent,” said Hyderabad traffic police additional commissioner Jitender.
Another remedy the police suggests is the deployment of traffic police at night. Installing CCTV cameras will be difficult in the city’s outskirts.
( Source : dc )
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