3. CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. What is hit and run cases?
3. Sections of hit and run cases
4. Punishment of hit and run cases
5. Hit and run laws
6. Problems in hit and run cases
7. What should not be done after hit and run accidents
8. Conclusion
9. References
4. Introduction
Hit and Run cases happen when the drivers
while driving incur damage to any person’s life,
health or property while rash driving and
thereafter failing to register their vehicle and
driving license with the concerned legal
authorities. In layman’s terms, Hit and Run is
hitting a person or property while driving and
then fleeing. It becomes very hard to identify
and punish the culprits because of lack of
evidence and witnesses. However, there have
been many instances when the law has
convicted them.
5. What is hit and run cases?
Hit and runs include any accident where a vehicle hits a
person, object or vehicle and the driver knowingly leaves
the scene without providing their information.
Hit and run statuses vary from state to state. It is not a
violation of the constitutional protection against self-
incrimination to be required to stop and give this
information since it is a report and not an admission of
guilt. Some hit and run cases are difficult to determine,
such as the driver leaves the accident scene to go a block
to his/her house or the neighborhood repair garage, and
then walks back to the scene.
6. Sections of hit and run cases
Sections 279, 304A, and 338 of IPC are
imposed on the victims of hit-and-run incidents.
Section 279– Under this section it is stated that
any person who drives vehicles rashly on a public
road will be guilty under this section. Persons
found guilty under this section have to face
imprisonment for 6 months, fine of Rs 1000/- or
both can be imposed on a driver. The offence
committed under this section is bailable and is
cognizable by the district magistrate.
7. Section 304A– Under this section it is stated that if a
driver is not intoxicated but leads to the death of a person
in the accident then he/she will be liable under this
section. The driver may face imprisonment of year which
may extend upto 2 years with a fine of more than Rs
1000/- or both. The offence committed under this section
is a non-bailable offence.
Section 302– Under extreme conditions police may book
a rider under this section. This section deal with the
offence of murder. Driver booked under this section might
face imprisonment for life or death penalty.
8. Punishment of hit and run cases
304A is a non-bailable offence, and an individual
can be convicted by lifetime imprisonment. In
extreme cases, the police may also report a hit
and drive case under 302, which is a section
related to the murder. A driver booked under
Section 302, may face a death sentence or life
imprisonment.
Death of the victim: Rs. 25000
Circumstances: Old Compensation
Bodily Injury of the victim: Rs. 12500
9. Hit and run laws
If you get a moving violation you can remove the points on your
license by taking a defense driving course, but a hit and run is a more
serious offence. It’s the type of offence that can easily come with jail
time, very hefty fines and drivers license limitations.
Hit and run laws vary from state to state. They can be traffic
infractions, misdemeanors or felonies depending on the severity of the
accident, total amount of property damage, and cause of the accident.
One thing is consistent in every state - the consequences for a hit and
run are much worse than stopping and taking responsibility.
Besides, getting away with a hit and run is much more difficult than
many people think. Consider how many parking lot cameras and
doorbell cameras are used today, or how many potential witnesses
there were that you didn’t notice. Some people have even attempted
to file a false report to cover up a hit and run, only to find they now
have an additional false insurance claim charge.
10. Problems in hit and run cases
The biggest issue in the cases of Hit and Run is the
absence of any direct evidence. Usually, there is no
hard evidence to put the culprit at the crime scene.
This makes it very difficult for the Police to pursue
the investigation. Sometimes due to the speeding
vehicles and a lot of rush, even witnesses aren’t
able to help with the investigation. Also, the
witnesses often don’t want to be entangled in the
legal framework. The Police have to rely on indirect
pieces of evidence in such cases. The investigation
requires very precise and careful monitoring of the
crime scene.
11. What should not be done after a hit-and-run
accident
If you are involved in a hit-and run accident then
you must avoid doing certain things and those
are-
Do not try to run from an accident spot.
Try to get the vehicle at a safe place, don’t wait in
the travel lane.
Do not leave the accident scene without
collecting adequate information.
Wait for the police, do not block the traffic.
12. Conclusion
There have been many high profile cases of
Hit and Run over the years. And, many of
which couldn’t get as much attention.
The usual reason found behind these
instances is Rash driving, on-road racing
and drink and drive. The victims, either injured
or dead are left to suffer while the culprits run
free. Even the compensation given to the
victim is too low as termed by the Apex Court.
A bill is pending in the Parliament to increase
the same from 25000 rupees to 2 lakhs.
13. Mcq
What is the first step in the accident study?
a) Accident data collection
b) Accident investigation
c) Accident data analysis
d) Accident reconstruction
