SC reserves decision on PIL on road safety

New Delhi, Apr 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court today reserved its judgement on a petition seeking strict implementation of road safety measures to minimise increasing number of deaths in road accidents.

A Bench comprising Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju reserved the judgement after the arguments were concluded.

Prashant Bhushan, Counsel for the petitioner organisation 'Common Cause', contended before the Court that at least 280 people die in road accidents everyday in India and Delhi tops the list amongst the metros.

The petitioner alleged through its Counsel that the counteraffidavit of the state of Tamil Nadu on the road safety measures is misleading. Road safety measures include improving road conditions and infrastructure, changing traffic laws and making their enforcement effective, educating people regarding road safety and providing proper and immediate medical aid for victims of road accidents.

State of Tamil Nadu in its affidavit had stated that the Road Safety Council has been set up by the state government but it is yet to take steps to implement its road safety policy.

The Tamil Nadu government has also constituted a road safety fund but the conditions of the roads in the state continues to be pathetic.

The Centre and all other states barring Maharashtra have already filed their response to the PIL.

UNI/SC AKJ ht1614