New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all states and Union Territories (UTs) to formulate comprehensive road safety rules within six months to regulate non-motorised vehicles and pedestrian movement in public spaces.
A bench of the apex court issued the directive under Sections 138(1A) and 210D of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The court emphasized that such regulations are essential to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians on national and state 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 stated.
Additionally, the court instructed all states and UTs to notify rules under Section 210D within the same period for setting design, construction, and maintenance standards for roads other than national highways.
The directions came in response to a petition filed by Coimbatore-based surgeon Dr. S. Rajaseekaran, who highlighted the alarming rate of road accidents across India. The plea urged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to implement stricter measures to enhance coordination and reduce fatalities caused by road mishaps.
