The Supreme Court has directed all states and union territories to ensure installation of vehicle location tracking devices (VLTDs) and panic buttons in both new and existing public service vehicles in a time-bound and verifiable manner.
Noting that VLTDs and panic buttons would ensure the safety of passengers, particularly the elderly, women and children, a Bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala lamented that only 1 per cent of such vehicles had these equipment, despite the Centre mandating it in 2018.
While hearing a 2012 PIL on implementation of road-safety norms across India, it ordered that no public service vehicle should be granted a fitness certificate under Section 56 or a permit under Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, unless installation of VLTDs and panic buttons was verified and reflected in the Vahan application.
It also directed retrofitting of such devices in vehicles registered up to December 21, 2018, and integration of compliance monitoring with Vahan database for real-time oversight.
Responding to a suggestion that manufacturers should pre-fit these devices in vehicles, the Bench directed the Centre to engage with automobile manufacturers and place an appropriate report before it.
Lamenting that India virtually had no concept of lane driving — which has been a major contributor to road accidents; the top court issued several directions to strengthen enforcement of road-safety enforcement measures.
“How do you ensure in this country that drivers do not do away with lane driving? There is no concept of lane driving in this country. Most of the accidents occur due to that… Lane driving is something which will reduce accidents considerably. Government must focus on it," Justice Pardiwala said.
Taking serious note of failure of most states to file compliance reports regarding speed-limiting devices required under Rule 118 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, the Bench said that auto manufacturers were obligated to fit it. It directed state governments to submit fresh affidavits supported by Vahan and Parivahan portal statistics.
The Bench expressed strong disapproval over the continued non-constitution of the National Road Safety Board, saying despite six months having been granted on May 4, 2025, it has remained un-constituted. It gave a final opportunity to the government to constitute the Board in three months.
