The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that the absence of lane-driving discipline in India has become a major contributor to the rising number of road accidents across the country. Stressing the urgent need to improve road safety standards, the court issued a series of key directives to states and union territories. A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Vishwanathan directed all states and UTs to ensure the mandatory installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and emergency panic buttons in public transport vehicles. The court noted that such safety mechanisms are particularly important for the protection of women, elderly passengers and children. Although the Centre introduced the rule in 2018, the bench observed that only around one per cent of vehicles currently have the devices installed. The observations came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed in 2012 by surgeon S. Rajashekharan, which sought effective implementation of road safety measures nationwide. No fitness certificate without device The Supreme Court has said that now no public transport vehicle will get a fitness certificate or permit until it has VLTD and panic button installed. The court has also directed the central government to negotiate with vehicle manufacturers so that these devices are installed at the time of production itself. The bench said that tracking devices and their functionality should be linked to the Vahan database so that real-time monitoring can be done. This system will also be mandatorily installed in old vehicles. Speed control device also necessary The Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the laxity of states regarding Speed Limiting Devices (SLD). The court said that it is mandatory for all public transport vehicles to have speed governors. The court ordered the states to file a detailed report by the next hearing. This must include data from the Vahan/Parivahan portal showing how many vehicles have been fitted with speed control devices. The court also said that despite previous orders, the Road Safety Board has not been constituted yet. Expressing displeasure over this, the central government was given a final opportunity and directed to constitute the board within three months. Learn about lane driving… Driving a vehicle between the white or yellow lines marked on the road is lane driving. Every vehicle should stay in its designated lane. Changing lanes unnecessarily is considered dangerous. Benefits of driving in lane… Identify lanes on the road…
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