SC directs committee to build a framework to ensure road safety

Source: The post is based on the article “SC directs committee to build a framework to ensure road safety” published in The Hindu on 7th January 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has heard a plea regarding road safety through electronic monitoring.

What was the case about?

The petitioner submitted to the court that overspeeding was the major cause of deaths on roads and that 70% of deaths were caused by such overspeeding. 

The petitioner thus urged the court to ensure that Section 136A introduced by the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019 was implemented and roads were electronically monitored to prevent such deaths. 

The petitioner also drew the attention of the court to Section 215B of the Motor Vehicle Act, which provides for the constitution of the National Road Safety Board. The Board shall render advice to the Central Government or State Government on all aspects pertaining to road safety and traffic management for this purpose.

What did the Supreme Court say?

The Supreme court acknowledged that speeding was the main cause of fatal accidents on Indian roads.

The court directed its committee led by a former apex court judge, Justice A.M. Sapre, to meet with the Road Transport Secretary and work out a framework to mould State-specific guidelines for the electronic monitoring and enforcement of road safety.