The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all the states
and Union Territories to frame road safety rules within six months by
regulating the movement of non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians in public
spaces.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V
Viswanathan directed all the states and UTs to frame such rules under Sections
138 (1A) and 210D of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
"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.
"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 bench said.
The directions came on a petition filed by
Coimbatore-based surgeon S Rajaseekaran, who highlighted the large number of
road accidents in India.
The plea sought directions to the Union Ministry of
Road Transport and Highways to make coordinated efforts to prevent road
accidents.