The Reformers: A Group for Justice strongly opposed the recently enacted 'Hit and Run' bill by the Indian govt. The legislation, targeting heavy vehicle transportation, has sparked outrage among the majority of the underprivileged, marginalized, and unemployed, who rely on this livelihood. With penalties including a 10-year imprisonment and a hefty fine of seven lakhs for offenders in hit-and-run accidents, the bill is criticized as draconian and lacking in reformative context.
A member of The Reformers expressed concerns, stating, “All those in the transport business, like taxi drivers, tempo drivers, truck drivers, and bus drivers, are mainly poor who get paid merely Rs 15,000 to look after their families. Such rules will not help them.”
The group contends that the fear of public retaliation is a significant factor behind drivers fleeing accident scenes. They propose a two-sided approach, suggesting that if a driver is beaten by the public, similar punitive measures should apply. One member stated, “People say that this bill is a great initiative, even though we agree, but the main question is why do people run after an accident? It is because they’re afraid of being beaten up by the public, hence this rule should apply to both sides.”
They argued that existing provisions in the Motor Vehicle Act and the Indian Penal Code are sufficient to address such cases, rendering the new legislation arbitrary and irrational. A member of the group expressed concerns about the impact on the economically vulnerable drivers, stating, "All those in the transport business are mainly poor who get paid merely Rs 15,000 to look after their families, such rules will not help them." He questioned questions the efficacy of the bill, suggesting that it fails to consider the root causes of hit-and-run incidents.
"Why do people run after an accident? It is because they're afraid of being beaten up by the public, hence this rule should apply to both sides," emphasized a member of The Reformers, suggesting a more comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying issues leading to such incidents.
The group contends that existing provisions in the Motor Vehicle Act and the Indian Penal Code are adequate to handle hit-and-run cases, rendering the new legislation arbitrary and irrational. According to their perspective, the previous system, where insurance companies handled financial matters arising from accidents, was fairer than placing the burden solely on economically disadvantaged drivers.
“Nobody leaves home intending to hurt someone. Earlier if an accident occurred the insurance company would look into the matters of finance. But now the economically backward driver has to pay for this,” he added.
The Reformers called for the withdrawal of this perceived unjust law and urged the Collector of North Goa to convey their protest to the Union Government of India.