In a move to bolster road safety, the Supreme Court of India has directed all states and Union Territories to frame comprehensive road safety rules within six months, specifically addressing the safety and regulation of pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. The order was issued on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, by a bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan.
The directive mandates the formulation of rules under Sections 138(1A) and 210D of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Section 138(1A) empowers states to create regulations for the movement of non-mechanically propelled vehicles and pedestrians in public spaces, including national highways, in consultation with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Section 210D pertains to the establishment of design, construction, and maintenance standards for roads, excluding national highways.
The Supreme Court's order comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Coimbatore-based surgeon, S. Rajaseekaran, who raised concerns about the alarmingly high number of road accidents in India. The petition sought coordinated efforts from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to prevent such accidents. The court acknowledged the "dire need" to ensure pedestrian safety, highlighting that over 35,000 pedestrians lost their lives in road accidents in 2023. Additionally, more than 54,000 two-wheeler riders and passengers died due to not wearing helmets.
The new rules are expected to cover various aspects of road safety, including:
- Pedestrian protection: Ensuring safe pedestrian crossings and footpaths.
- Helmet compliance: Strict enforcement of helmet usage for two-wheeler riders and passengers.
- Lane discipline: Addressing wrong-lane driving and unsafe overtaking.
- Vehicle Lights and Hooters: Regulation of dazzling LED headlights and unauthorized use of strobe lights and hooters.
In addition to framing rules, the Supreme Court has also directed road owning agencies in 50 cities and the NHAI to conduct audits of existing footpaths and pedestrian crossings. These audits should identify deficiencies in width, height and surface, and ensure compliance with the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines. The agencies are required to undertake remedial measures and fix timelines for addressing the identified shortcomings.
Furthermore, the court has instructed governments, municipal authorities, and the NHAI to create online grievance redressal mechanisms for footpath-related complaints, including encroachments and maintenance issues, as well as suggestions for pedestrian crossings.
Justice Pardiwala emphasized that the implementation of these guidelines is crucial. The Supreme Court has set a six-month deadline for states and Union Territories to comply with the order, with potential judicial intervention in case of non-compliance. This directive aims to create a uniform, nationwide framework for safer and more accessible roads, particularly for vulnerable road users.
