Legal Notice Demands Safety Features for Two-Wheelers in Himachal Pradesh
Advocate Takes Action for Road Safety
TNR News Network
Dharamshala
In a significant move aimed at public safety, Advocate Vishav Chakshu from Dharamshala has filed a legal notice under Sections 80 and 91 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) directed at the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) along with four major two-wheeler manufacturers: Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, TVS Motor Company, and Bajaj Auto Limited.
The notice points out that current two-wheeler models lack essential features such as an audible buzzer and an automatic cut-off system for turn indicators. This oversight often leads to riders forgetting to deactivate their indicators after making turns, which can mislead other road users and increase the risk of accidents, especially in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh.
While four-wheeled vehicles are required to have these safety systems, their absence in two-wheelers is being labeled as 'gross negligence' and a breach of Article 21 of the Constitution. Chakshu emphasized that implementing this crucial safety feature would only cost between ₹50 and ₹150 per vehicle, yet its absence is linked to the growing number of road accidents.
Demands for Enhanced Safety Features
Key Demands Raised:
- Implementation of a mandatory buzzer or audible alert along with an auto-cut feature for all two-wheeler indicators within 10 to 15 seconds.
- Amendment of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to enforce these safety features.
- Consideration for retrofitting existing vehicles with these systems in the interest of public safety.
The notice warns that if no action is taken within 60 days, legal proceedings will be initiated under Section 91 CPC before the Senior Civil Judge in Dharamshala, alongside a Public Interest Litigation in the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a complaint to the Consumer Commission.