New hit-and-run law faces opposition from truckers in country with highest road accident fatalities.

India began the New Year with a two-day nationwide strike in protest of a new hit-and-run law. The law imposes penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a maximum fine of $8,405 for hit-and-runs. This law aims to replace the Indian Penal Code, which only allows for a maximum of two years imprisonment for accidental killings in road accidents.

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi quelled tensions by assuring protesting truck, bus, and tanker operators that the law would be implemented only after consulting with unions.

Despite having only 1% of the global vehicle population, India has the highest number of road accident-related deaths. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' 2022 data, hit-and-run cases accounted for the second-largest share of total accidental deaths at 18.1%. Although hit-and-runs claim about 50,000 lives a year in India, road-related deaths from trucks or lorries make up only 11.3% of the total.

The BJP party claims that the new laws will reduce road accidents and apply to all vehicles, while protesting drivers argue that the hit-and-run law is biased against larger vehicles. The study by SaveLIFE Foundation shows that truck drivers, who spend an average of 12 hours on the road and travel 260 miles daily, are likely to be disproportionately affected by the law. The Congress party supports the protests, stating that the legislation could be misused for extortion and corruption.

The law must consider the views of major stakeholders, specifically truck drivers, as they are the most vulnerable to its application, according to Byram Dhalla, director of B.D. Dhalla Transport. He emphasized that truckers spend the most time on the roads, making them the most affected by the law. Additionally, trucking businesses argue that stricter rules could discourage drivers from an already declining profession.

The three-day strikes caused significant disruptions in supply chains, road blockages, traffic jams, and sporadic violence. Additionally, the brief but massive protests led to long gas pump lines and panic-buying fuel. Today, the thousands of gas stations that were running out of fuel have stabilized.

The BJP and the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) began talks on Tuesday to end the turmoil in India's northwestern and western states, which caused an estimated loss of $12 million in trade per day.

The AIMTC is currently striving to obtain greater clarity on what constitutes reckless or careless driving, as well as how an accused driver should notify authorities. Additionally, truckers argue that the government must take into account the potential for violent protests if drivers attempt to transport the injured to hospitals.

"Dhalla stated that truck drivers are often the soft target, regardless of whether the fault lies in their actions or not. He emphasized that the law needs careful consideration and assurance of comfort to the driver community."