Why in News

• The Supreme Court recently delivered a judgment in a tragic Coimbatore road accident case

  • Highlighted the urgent need for lane discipline on Indian roads

Legality of Right to Road Safety in India

• Fundamental Right:

  • Right to safe, well-maintained, and motorable roads is part of Right to Life (Article 21)

• State Obligation:

  • Citizens cannot be deprived of safe public infrastructure

  • Roads are vital for mobility, dignity, and economic access

• Article 19 Domain:

  • Right to move freely across the country (Article 19(1)(g)) depends on well-maintained roads

• Government Responsibility:

  • State must develop and maintain roads under its control

• Case Reference:

  • Held in Umri Pooph Pratappur Tollways Pvt. Ltd. v. M.P. Road Development Corporation

Lane Discipline

• Meaning:

  • Driving within designated lanes and following rules associated with lanes

• Global Practice:

  • Countries like Germany, Japan, Singapore strictly enforce lane discipline

  • Done through education and penalties for violations

Challenges in Following Lane Discipline in India

• Poor Road Infrastructure:

  • Potholes, uneven surfaces, and unclear lane markings

• Traffic Congestion:

  • Dense traffic makes maintaining lanes difficult

• Insufficient Driver Education:

  • Many drivers lack proper training on lane discipline

• Corruption:

  • Driving licence tests often flawed due to corruption in Road Transport Authorities

• Implementation Issues:

  • Traffic laws weakly enforced, leading to disregard for rules

• Behavioural Problems:

  • Overconfidence, reckless driving, and cultural attitudes reduce focus on lane discipline

Measures to Ensure Driving Discipline

• Education:

  • Teach traffic rules to reduce chaos

• Stringent Enforcement:

  • Strict monitoring and penalties for violations

• Insurance Incentives:

  • Discounts on health and motor insurance for good driving behaviour

• Innovative Solutions:

  • AI-driven systems to monitor and penalize reckless driving

• Civic Responsibility:

  • Promote understanding that driving licences are a privilege with responsibility

Punjab’s Road Safety Force (SSF) – Case Study

• Structure:

  • SSF teams stationed every 30 km across Punjab’s 4,100 km highways

• Accident Prevention:

  • Over 35,000 lives saved through preventive measures

• Swift Response:

  • Teams reach accident spots within 5–7 minutes

  • Provide first aid and ensure hospital transport

• Women Participation:

  • Women make up 28% of personnel

  • Actively participate in all operations