New Delhi: Taking serious note of the alarming rise in road accidents and fatalities, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a comprehensive set of directions aimed at strengthening pedestrian safety, enforcing helmet laws, and curbing hazardous driving practices across India.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting the government’s lax approach toward increasing road accidents despite existing laws and prior court rulings.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), India recorded 1,72,890 road accident deaths in 2023, including 35,221 pedestrians—a sharp rise from 10.44% in 2016 to 20.4% of all fatalities last year.
The apex court observed that pedestrian infrastructure across cities is “frequently encroached upon or misused, forcing people onto carriageways and exposing them to grave danger.” It directed all road-owning agencies, including municipal bodies and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to conduct footpath and pedestrian crossing audits in 50 major cities, prioritising high-footfall areas such as markets, stations, temples, and schools.
The court also ordered that audits assess zebra crossings, illumination, traffic-calming measures, and safety of foot overbridges and subways, which are often unsafe or inaccessible.
Expressing grave concern over helmet law violations—responsible for nearly 70% of two-wheeler deaths—the bench instructed states, Union Territories, and NHAI to ensure strict enforcement through e-surveillance using cameras.
Addressing reckless road behaviour, the bench called for tougher action against wrong-lane driving, unsafe overtaking, and misuse of LED headlights, strobe lights, and illegal hooters. MoRTH and state transport departments have been told to prescribe limits on headlight luminance and beam angles, and to enforce bans on unauthorised lights and sirens.
The court also mandated the creation of online grievance redressal systems by municipal bodies, state governments, and NHAI for issues concerning footpath maintenance and pedestrian crossings, with a requirement to resolve complaints within a set timeframe.
Additionally, all states and Union Territories have been directed to frame rules under Sections 138(1A) and 210-D of the Motor Vehicles Act within six months to regulate pedestrian access and road design standards.
The case will be reviewed after seven months to monitor progress and compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives.
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