The recent Lamborghini crash in Kanpur, where a speeding luxury sports car allegedly driven by the son of a tobacco businessman plowed into pedestrians and vehicles, injuring at least six, has ignited a fierce debate about apathy, privilege, and accountability in India. The incident, which occurred on VIP Road in Kanpur, involved Shivam Mishra, the son of K.K. Mishra, owner of Banshidhar Exports Pvt Ltd. Eyewitnesses reported that after the crash, bouncers accompanying the car pulled the driver out, and police investigations are ongoing to determine if Shivam Mishra was indeed behind the wheel, despite his lawyer's claims to the contrary. CCTV footage has emerged that appears to contradict the lawyer's statements.

This is not an isolated event. A series of high-profile crashes involving luxury cars have plagued India in recent years, fueling public outrage over perceived impunity for the wealthy. Instances include a drunk driver in Delhi running over sleeping people, a Lamborghini hitting laborers in Noida, and a Porsche driven by a minor killing two IT professionals in Pune. These incidents highlight a pattern of reckless driving, often coupled with attempts to evade responsibility, that disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations.

The public's response to these accidents reveals a deep-seated frustration with a system perceived as lenient towards the elite. Social media is often flooded with anger, drawing comparisons between cases and questioning whether the affluent will face real consequences. The initial police response in the Kanpur case, which did not initially name Shivam Mishra in the FIR, has drawn criticism and allegations of a sluggish investigation, further eroding public trust.

Several factors contribute to this pervasive apathy. India's stark economic inequality creates a divide between the wealthy, who can afford expensive vehicles and legal representation, and the poor, who are often left to bear the brunt of accidents. Studies show that the richest 1% in India own a large percentage of the country's wealth, while the poorest half sees minimal increases. This disparity fosters a sense of detachment among some members of the middle and upper classes, who may view poverty as a natural order or blame the poor for their circumstances.

Furthermore, a lack of accountability and weak enforcement of traffic laws exacerbate the problem. Despite existing laws against reckless driving, hit-and-run incidents and cases of luxury vehicles striking pedestrians continue. Factors contributing to accidents include overspeeding, drunk driving, ignoring traffic rules, and poor road conditions. Systemic issues like bureaucratic indifference, substandard public works, and corruption further compound the issue.

While the number of road accidents and fatalities on national highways saw a decline in 2025, India still ranks first globally in road accident fatalities. The government has implemented initiatives to improve road safety, such as establishing Centers of Excellence for Road Safety, deploying Advanced Traffic Management Systems, and amending safety standards for vehicles. Delhi has also approved funds for an advanced traffic system to boost road safety. However, these efforts must be coupled with stricter enforcement, increased public awareness, and a change in societal attitudes towards road safety to truly address the issue.

The Lamborghini crash serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the systemic apathy and inequalities that contribute to road accidents in India. Until privilege and wealth cease to be perceived as shields from accountability, and until road safety becomes a shared responsibility embraced by all segments of society, such tragedies will continue to occur.