SC Seeks Urgent Action Plan from Centre, States for Road Accident Victim Safety and Justice
Key Highlights:
In a landmark move, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday expressed serious concerns about the lack of timely aid to road accident victims across the country and directed the Centre, all States and Union Territories to develop and file a swift action protocol within the next six months.
The bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted the rising number of road accidents in India and highlighted the State’s obligation to provide immediate aid to victims—whether injured or trapped in vehicles.
“Though it will be difficult at this stage to issue a mandamus, the States must take effective steps for swift response protocols with the object of ensuring safety,” the court stated.
Swift Protocol Needed to Protect Road Accident Victims
The Court stated that India lacks a standardized emergency response mechanism for road accident victims. To bridge this critical gap, it urged the creation of uniform guidelines by states based on NHAI’s proposed protocol.
NHAI Road Safety Note Taken on Record
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has reportedly developed a protocol on road safety measures. The Court directed NHAI to:
- Forward this protocol to all States and UTs.
- File an affidavit detailing the implementation steps within six months.
This document will now serve as a guiding framework for regional governments to shape their road accident response systems.
National Road Safety Board “Remains on Paper”
Another major concern raised was the non-functional status of the National Road Safety Board, despite provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act.
“The board has remained on paper. Chairpersons and members haven’t been appointed,” the bench observed.
The Court directed the Central Government to:
- File an affidavit within two weeks.
- Indicate an outer timeline by which the board will be officially constituted and made operational.
UP Motor Vehicle Law May Let Offenders Walk Free
The Court also examined an Interlocutory Application (IA) raising concerns over provisions in the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Act. These allow automatic abatement of proceedings if fines are not paid in time.
“Prima facie, the UP Act allows proceedings to abate automatically… the offender is left free,” the Court noted.
The State of Uttar Pradesh has been asked to file a legal clarification.
Driver Working Hours Remain Unenforced
Despite clear legal limits on driver working hours, implementation remains patchy. The court cited the 8-hour daily and 48-hour weekly limits under the Motor Vehicles Act and directed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to:
- Hold consultations with state departments.
- Submit compliance reports by August 2025.
Publish Road Accident Data Timely, Says SC
Noting that the Annual Report on Road Accidents for 2023 is yet to be released, the bench instructed the government to:
- Publish the 2023 report by August 2025.
- Ensure all future reports are released within six months.
What This Means for You
If you’re a driver, commuter, transport operator, or policy advocate, these developments signal:
- A likely overhaul in accident response infrastructure across India.
- Stricter scrutiny of State traffic laws, especially those with loopholes.
- Renewed attention to driver welfare, legal accountability, and data transparency in road transport policy.
How to Take Action
- States/UTs must begin drafting and submitting swift response protocols.
- Citizens can track their state’s compliance via RTIs or public updates.
- Lawyers and NGOs may join amicus briefs or legal consultations related to road safety.
- Transporters and employers must realign driver schedules to meet legal work-hour limits.
Who Will Be Affected
- Accident victims and their families, who may now receive faster aid.
- State governments, which must implement and report protocols.
- Drivers, especially in the public transport and freight sector.
- Legal systems, as proceedings under flawed state laws may come under review.
- NHAI, which now must lead the model safety protocol implementation.
A Crucial Step Toward Justice for Road Accident Victims
The Supreme Court’s directives mark a positive and urgent push toward making India’s roads safer and accident response more humane and efficient. With a timeline in place for the Centre, States, and NHAI, the judgment sets the tone for a national framework prioritizing life-saving interventions, legal reform, and institutional accountability.
The next few months will be crucial as India moves toward a more responsible and responsive road safety ecosystem.
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