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| Make roads secure | | | The Supreme Court of India has once again demonstrated its resolve to ensure road safety by directing 23 States and seven Union Territories to submit compliance reports on the implementation of critical provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The Apex Court seeks to assess the adherence to Section 136A of the Act, read with Rule 167A of the Motor Vehicles Rules, which enable the electronic monitoring of vehicular speed.
This move underscores the urgent need to tackle the alarming rise in road accidents across the country and hold authorities accountable for the enforcement of road safety measures.
India’s road safety statistics paint a grim picture. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 1.5 lakh lives are lost annually due to road accidents, with overspeeding identified as a leading cause.
In this context, Section 136A and Rule 167A provide a robust framework to curb reckless driving by leveraging technology. These provisions mandate the installation of electronic monitoring devices such as speed cameras, closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), and automatic number plate recognition systems to detect and deter traffic violations. However, the mere existence of these laws is insufficient without effective implementation.
The Supreme Court’s directive highlights the inconsistent enforcement of these provisions across the country. While some states and union territories have made commendable progress in deploying electronic monitoring systems, others lag significantly due to bureaucratic inertia, lack of technical expertise, and inadequate funding. This lack of uniformity undermines the overarching goal of creating a safer road environment. By seeking compliance reports, the apex court aims to identify gaps in implementation and compel states to act with urgency.
One of the critical aspects of the court’s directive is its focus on accountability. The submission of compliance reports will not only provide a snapshot of the current state of implementation but also pave the way for remedial measures.
States and Union Territories must rise to the occasion by prioritizing investments in electronic monitoring infrastructure, training personnel to operate these systems, and ensuring the timely issuance of penalties for violations. Moreover, these efforts must be supplemented by public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of adhering to traffic rules.
While the court’s intervention is commendable, the onus is not solely on the judiciary or state authorities. The Centre must play a proactive role in facilitating the implementation of these provisions. This includes providing financial assistance to economically weaker states, setting uniform technical standards for monitoring devices, and fostering interstate coordination to address challenges. Simultaneously, civil society organizations and private stakeholders can contribute by promoting responsible driving practices and supporting technological innovation in road safety.
The importance of this directive extends beyond reducing road accidents; it is a step toward creating a culture of accountability and rule of law on India’s roads. |
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