Toddler gets run over by speeding car in Mumbai, driver held

A fatal road accident involving a speeding Hyundai Creta claimed the life of a four-year-old boy near Ambedkar College in Mumbai's Wadala area.

The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old identified as Sandeep Gole from Vile Parle, has been apprehended, according to the police.

The victim, Ayush Laxman Kinvade, belonged to a family that resides on a footpath, with his father employed as a laborer.

The tragic incident occurred on a day that highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding road safety in Maharashtra, a state that has consistently reported high numbers of traffic-related casualties. Investigations into the case are ongoing, authorities confirmed.

This heartbreaking accident follows another major incident in Mumbai earlier this month, where an out-of-control electric bus operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking caused havoc in Kurla.

Seven lives were lost, and 42 individuals were injured in the crash, which also damaged more than 20 vehicles. The moment was captured on CCTV and has since raised questions about the state of vehicular safety and control measures in the city.

Maharashtra: A Road Safety Challenge

Data released by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways last week sheds light on the alarming frequency of road accidents in Maharashtra. Between 2018 and 2022, the state witnessed 66,370 fatalities due to road accidents, placing it among the top contributors to national road fatalities.

The national report further revealed that over 7 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents across India during this five-year period. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths (1,08,882), followed by Tamil Nadu (84,316), with Maharashtra in third place.

Road safety experts emphasize the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved pedestrian infrastructure, and awareness campaigns to address the ongoing crisis.

The untimely demise of Ayush Kinvade serves as a somber reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive road safety measures to prevent further loss of innocent lives.