The past year has laid bare this crisis with terrifying clarity.

In Vadodara, a speeding Volkswagen driven by law student Rakshit Chaurasiya killed one woman and injured seven others. In Delhi, a drunk Audi driver ran over five people sleeping on a footpath, including a child. In Pune, a minor behind the wheel of a Porsche killed two software professionals in a high-speed crash. In Hyderabad, four young men died on New Year’s Eve after their car hit a divider at over 140 km/hr. In Bengaluru, another high-end vehicle ploughed into a waiting car. And perhaps most tragically, 104-year-old Fauja Singh, a Punjabi Sikh marathon legend, reportedly died in a road accident—his extraordinary journey ended not by time, but by recklessness.

Even school-going children are not spared. Across India, reports of overcrowded, unlicensed school vans, often driven by underage or untrained drivers, continue to surface. These vehicles, treated as low-cost convenience rather than regulated transport, put the lives of hundreds of students at daily risk. In multiple incidents, children have died or suffered injuries due to overturned school vans, negligent driving, or vehicle fires—clear violations of both safety norms and moral duty.

These are not disconnected episodes; they are part of a broader culture of impunity where enforcement is weak, and accountability is elusive.

Legal Inadequacy and Weak Enforcement

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 sought to introduce tougher penalties and stricter protocols. Yet its enforcement remains patchy and largely ineffective. Violations are often settled with bribes, and even fatal accidents are treated as paperwork, not criminal acts.

The Indian Penal Code’s Section 279 (rash driving) and Section 304A (causing death by negligence) remain bailable and non-cognizable, allowing even the most negligent drivers to escape real consequences. The newly introduced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) attempts to address this. Under Section 281, rash driving remains punishable with up to six months’ imprisonment. Crucially, Section 106(2) provides up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine when death is caused under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or by repeat offenders.

This is a step in the right direction, but unless implemented rigorously—and extended to include school transport violations—these reforms will remain symbolic.

Road Safety Is a Constitutional Right

India ranks among the five most dangerous countries for road safety globally. This is not a matter of poor infrastructure alone, but of poor governance. The right to safe travel— especially for vulnerable groups like children and pedestrians—is intrinsically linked to Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.

What Must Change: A Comprehensive Agenda

1. Reclassify Offences and Mandate Strict Prosecution

Offences involving death or injury due to drunk driving, overspeeding, or negligence— including those involving school buses or vans—must be treated as non-bailable, cognizable offences. Repeat offenders must face mandatory jail time and permanent license suspension.

2. Regulate School Transport Stringently

States must enforce strict compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on school transport safety. This includes ensuring driver vetting, speed governors, GPS tracking, insurance, and regular fitness certification. Schools should be held jointly liable for violations.

3. Upgrade Driver Licensing Standards

The current licensing regime must be restructured to include technology-based testing, AI-monitored training, and periodic renewals. Drivers of passenger and school vehicles should undergo mandatory behavioural training and psychological evaluations.

4. Leverage Smart Enforcement Tools

India must transition from manual, discretionary enforcement to automated, tech-driven monitoring—using speed cameras, red-light surveillance, and real-time databases of traffic violators. School zones should be fitted with automatic deterrents.

5. Invest in Road-Safe Urban Design

Pedestrian-first infrastructure, designated school drop zones, speed bumps, and well-lit intersections must become standard urban planning elements, not afterthoughts.

6. Build a Culture of Road Ethics

Public awareness campaigns should go beyond cautionary messages. Road safety education must be integrated into school curricula, driving schools, and corporate transport policies. Only a cultural shift toward shared responsibility can create lasting change.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead Must Be Safe for All

The tragic deaths of children, commuters, professionals, and even a 104-year-old athlete illustrate the magnitude of our collective failure. Reckless drivers, whether in luxury cars or school vans, continue to exploit a system that too often looks away.

India does not lack laws—it lacks the will to implement them with urgency and equity. Until that changes, every school run, every morning walk, and every daily commute will remain a gamble with fate.