Supreme Court To Govt: Create Emergency Action Plan To Help Road Accident Victims

SC Asks Centre, States To Create Quick Response Plan To Save Road Accident Victims

On a busy Thursday morning, the Supreme Court of India issued a direction that could change the fate of thousands of road accident victims across the country. The Court, deeply concerned about the rising number of road mishaps and the lack of timely help for victims, urged the central government and all states to create a rapid response plan. This wasn’t just another order in a pile of paperwork—it was a wake-up call for the nation to rethink how it handles emergencies on its roads.

The Human Cost Behind the Numbers

Every day, Indian roads witness countless accidents. Some victims are left injured, waiting for help that never arrives in time. Others, trapped in mangled vehicles, rely on the hope that someone will come to their rescue. The Supreme Court’s bench, led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, highlighted these very real and heartbreaking scenarios. They noted that while the causes of accidents vary—from reckless driving to poor road conditions—the one constant is the urgent need for immediate assistance.

The Court made it clear that providing swift help isn’t just a matter of policy—it’s a duty. States and union territories, the judges said, must develop machinery and protocols to ensure quick action when accidents occur. The aim is simple: save lives by making sure no one is left waiting for help.

Six Months to Make a Difference

Recognising the urgency, the Supreme Court gave all states and union territories six months to respond with concrete plans. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which has already developed a protocol for road safety, was directed to share its guidelines with every state and union territory. The Court expects these protocols to guide local governments as they build their own response systems.

But the Court didn’t stop there. It also asked the NHAI to submit a detailed report within six months, outlining the steps taken to improve road safety and emergency response. The message was clear: this is not a matter for endless discussion, but for immediate, practical action.

Beyond Protocols: The Bigger Picture

The Supreme Court’s intervention goes beyond just emergency response. It touched upon other critical issues that feed into road safety:

• The need to finally set up the National Road Safety Board, as required by law, which has so far remained only on paper.

• Addressing loopholes in state laws that let traffic offenders escape punishment if they don’t pay fines on time.

• Ensuring that professional drivers do not work beyond safe limits, with strict enforcement of working hour regulations.

• Publishing annual road accident reports on time so that the public and policymakers have access to the latest data.

These steps, the Court said, are all part of a larger effort to create safer roads and save lives.

Teaching Safety from a Young Age

While protocols and enforcement are essential, the roots of road safety run deeper. Recent government efforts are focusing on the next generation—children and teenagers. In a joint move, the Road Transport and Highways Minister and the Education Minister announced that road safety will soon be part of the school curriculum.

This decision comes after alarming statistics showed over 11,000 lives lost near schools and institutional areas in just one year, including more than 10,000 children under 18. By teaching road safety in schools, the government hopes to raise a generation that values caution and responsibility on the roads. The plan includes creating safe school zones, enforcing strict rules for school buses, and making sure children know the risks and rules from an early age.

The Role of Parents, Schools, and Society

The responsibility for road safety doesn’t rest with the government alone. Parents play a crucial role by not allowing minors to drive and by setting an example with their own behaviour. Schools are being encouraged to hold regular sessions on traffic rules and safe driving. Community awareness campaigns, led by NGOs and traffic police, are helping to spread the message further.

Strict enforcement, including hefty fines and even impounding vehicles driven by minors, is being pushed as a deterrent. But at the heart of it all is the need for a cultural shift—one where safety is valued above speed or convenience.

A Step Towards Safer Roads

The Supreme Court’s call for a swift response plan is not just about better ambulances or faster police action. It’s about building a system where every link—from the bystander who calls for help, to the school that teaches safety, to the government that enforces the law—works together to protect lives.

If the Centre, states, and society rise to this challenge, India’s roads could become not just busier, but also far safer for everyone.