Court Expresses Concern Over Rising Road Traffic Accidents
On Wednesday, the Gujarat High Court voiced its dismay over the alarming increase in road traffic accidents in Ahmedabad, highlighting a significant lapse in road safety practices. The Court, through a public interest litigation (PIL) case [Dharini Shah & Ors. v. State of Gujarat & Ors.], noted a troubling trend: not a single person observed on two-wheelers was wearing a helmet.
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal’s Observations
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, expressing frustration over the ineffectiveness of current traffic enforcement measures, questioned the utility of issuing traffic violation tickets (challans) when the enforcement of helmet-wearing rules remains negligible. She remarked:
“Nobody wears helmets here. I have not seen a two-wheeler rider wearing a helmet. You cannot see a single person wearing a helmet. I am receiving information on paper that there are challans being issued for not wearing helmets but if everyone is not wearing helmets, what is the point of challan?”
Call for Electronic Challans
Chief Justice Agarwal also emphasized the need for a more systematic approach to issuing challans. She suggested:
“It has to be E-challan (electronically issued challans). When the challan is through the camera, it directly goes to the owner of the vehicle. It should not be at the discretion of the police personnel to issue challans.”
Court’s Directives to the State
The Division Bench, consisting of Chief Justice Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi, gave the State 15 days to enforce helmet-wearing regulations for both drivers and pillion riders. The Court also mandated improvements to address road safety issues, particularly near the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway (SG Highway).
Chief Justice Agarwal stated:
“We are giving you (State) 15 days time to implement the first requirement of putting up this mandatory condition of wearing helmets by two-wheeler riders including the pillion rider and controlling the traffic - to look at people taking wrong sides, entering from wrong sides and work out a survey of the entire city, noticing those entry and exit points which are accidents prone area and high accidents prone areas.”
Expansion of the PIL
The PIL was initially filed regarding the construction of a flyover bridge at the Panjrapole crossroad. The Court has since expanded the PIL to address:
Addressing Traffic Management and Road Safety
Petitioners highlighted issues with traffic management at various entry and exit points, leading to frequent accidents. They urged the Court to take stringent action against offenders and form an expert committee to recommend solutions.
The Court underscored the necessity of constructing service roads beside the SG Highway, emphasizing its importance as a key connection between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Additionally, the Court suggested installing signboards to identify heavy traffic areas and recommended a holistic approach to traffic and road safety planning.
Chief Justice Agarwal stressed:
“While constructing roads, highways and flyovers, such safety and convenience issues must be taken care of, particularly at entry and exit points. And if you are diverting traffic from one place to another ... whether it is creating any problems - that aspect is also to be seen.”
TAGS: Gujarat High Court Helmet compliance Road traffic accidents E-challan Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway Traffic management
