MP High Court Takes Suo Motu Action on Alarming Road Accident Statistics
A division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, has taken a serious view of the state's escalating road accident crisis. The bench has formally issued notices to both the central government and the Madhya Pradesh state government in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) that demands immediate and comprehensive measures to address this pressing public safety issue.
Petitioner Highlights Shocking Daily Death Toll and Systemic Failures
The PIL was filed by petitioner Ashish Shivhare, who presented alarming data from the Ministry of Surface Transport. According to the petition, Madhya Pradesh witnesses an average of 41 deaths every single day due to road accidents. Shivhare attributed this tragic statistic to a combination of deeply rooted systemic failures, including dangerously faulty road designs, widespread potholes, illegal encroachments on thoroughfares, and the rampant issuance of driving licenses to untrained and unqualified individuals.
Nine Key Respondents Summoned for Court Scrutiny
The court's notices have been directed at nine critical respondents who hold responsibility for road safety and infrastructure. This list includes the Ministry of Surface Transport and Highways, the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI), the State Director General of Police (DGP), the State Transport Commissioner, the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), and the Jabalpur Traffic Superintendent of Police along with the Municipal Commissioner. The bench aims to hold these authorities accountable for their roles in the current crisis.
Comprehensive Demands for Reform and Accountability
In his petition, Ashish Shivhare outlined a multi-pronged strategy for reform. He demanded the establishment of a joint responsibility framework between police forces and urban administration bodies to ensure coordinated action. A key demand is the strict enforcement of Section 198 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which would fix legal accountability on engineers and contractors for design flaws and construction defects that lead to accidents.
Furthermore, the PIL calls for mandatory digital retraining programs on updated traffic rules for all existing driving license holders to improve driver competency. To tackle infrastructure issues proactively, Shivhare proposed the development and deployment of a dedicated road safety mobile application. This app would empower citizens to report hazards such as potholes, accident black spots, instances of illegal parking, and the menace of stray cattle on roads.
Court Appoints Amicus Curiae to Assist in Proceedings
Recognizing the gravity and complexity of the matter, the division bench has appointed advocate Arihant Tiwari as amicus curiae. His role will be to assist the court in navigating the legal and technical intricacies of the case, ensuring that the proceedings lead to substantive and enforceable outcomes for enhancing road safety across Madhya Pradesh.
