Gujarat: 9,597 hit-and-run cases reported in 5 years

Rising incidents of rash driving and hit-and-run accidents have raised serious concerns over traffic management and road safety in Gujarat, with as many as 9,597 such cases reported between 2020 and 2024.

According to data presented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the Lok Sabha, Gujarat has witnessed a steady increase in hit-and-run incidents over the years, averaging more than 1,800 cases annually.

Despite multiple measures claimed by the State Government and road safety authorities, the numbers indicate persistent gaps in enforcement and driver accountability. The worrying trend comes against the backdrop of rapid motorisation in the State.

Gujarat, with an estimated population of around 7.22 crore, has witnessed a massive surge in vehicle ownership, with the total number of registered vehicles-both transport and non-transport-reaching approximately 3.5 crore. Experts believe this sharp rise in vehicles has significantly contributed to increased traffic congestion and accident risks.

However, concerns have also been raised over the lack of updated official data. The website of the Transport Commissionerate Gujarat, reportedly, reflects vehicle statistics only up to 2018-19, and figures have not been updated in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, indicating gaps in data transparency and monitoring.

Year-wise data shows a troubling trend: 1,552 cases in 2020, 1,720 in 2021, 2,208 in 2022, 2,214 in 2023, and 1,902 cases reported in 2024. The figures underline how the rapid rise in the number of vehicles on roads has been accompanied by an increase in negligent driving.

Gujarat ranks 11th among all States and Union Territories in the country in terms of hit-and-run incidents. However, the State continues to witness significantly higher numbers compared to several others, such as Kerala and Delhi, raising questions over the effectiveness of traffic regulation mechanisms.

One of the most shocking instances highlighting the gravity of reckless driving was the 2023 ISKCON Bridge accident in Ahmedabad, where Tathya Patel allegedly drove a Jaguar at over 141 km/h, ramming into people and vehicles.