The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all states and Union Territories to formulate and notify road safety rules within six months to regulate the movement of non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians in public spaces and on national highways.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by Coimbatore-based surgeon S Rajaseekaran, who had highlighted the alarming number of road accidents in the country and sought coordinated measures to prevent them.
The bench directed all states and UTs to frame rules under Section 138(1A) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, within six months, if not already framed, to regulate the activities and access of non-mechanically propelled vehicles and pedestrians to public spaces and national highways.
“We direct all the states and UTs to formulate rules under Section 138(1A) of the Motor Vehicles Act within a period of six months, if not already framed, for the purpose of regulating activities and access of non-mechanical propelled vehicles and pedestrians to public places and national highways,” the bench said.
Additionally, the court directed the formulation and notification of rules under Section 210D of the Act within the same time frame for the design, construction, and maintenance standards of roads other than national highways.
“We direct all the states and UTs to formulate and notify rules under Section 210D of the Act within a period of six months, if not already framed, for design, construction and maintenance of standards for roads other than national highways,” the order stated.
The directions were issued on a petition by S Rajaseekaran, who approached the apex court pointing to the high rate of road accidents in India and the need for a uniform, coordinated policy on road safety. The plea sought directions to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to take proactive measures and work with states to prevent accidents.
