Kerala HC puts brakes on illegal parking

Kochi, Sep 17 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the state government to enforce rules prohibiting parking of motor vehicles on national and state highways and said steps should be taken to construct bus bays on the roadsides across the state within one year.

A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice C N Ramachandran Nair and Mr Justice Harun al-Rasheed also directed the PWD and local authorities to paint speed breakers with zebra markings and provide sign boards within one year.

The court issued the directions while hearing a motor accident claim appeal wherein a pillion rider on a motorcycle was killed after the bike hit a lorry parked on the roadside.

The court directed the government to instruct the police and motor vehicles department to seize and remove vehicles parked on national and state highways, and on other important roads and release them only after collecting heavy fines. The drivers should be prosecuted.

The government should also direct the authorities to ensure that goods vehicles, particularly container lorries were operated with proper indicator lights and reflectors.

The court observed that a large number of accidents took place on account of parking of stage carriers on roads for taking and releasing passengers. This should be prohibited and bus bays constructed.

To ensure that the directions were complied with, the court directed the registry to post the case every month for the government to give periodic reports.

UNI XR ARC SJ RL RK1841