Overview

• A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan directed all States and Union Territories to frame rules under Sections 138(1A) and 210D of the Motor Vehicles Act within six months.
• States must regulate the movement and access of pedestrians and non‑mechanically propelled vehicles in public places and on national highways.
• The order requires technical standards for the design, construction and maintenance of roads other than national highways to be prescribed and notified.
• The court also issued specific safety directions covering helmet use, wrong‑lane driving, unsafe overtaking, and the use of unauthorised hooters and certain LED lights.
• The directions arise from the long‑running S. Rajaseekaran road‑safety case, with the court noting earlier recognition of footpath access under Article 21 and referencing Indian Roads Congress pedestrian guidelines.