Motor Vehicles Act: Supreme Court Orders States and UTs to Frame Pedestrian Safety and Road Design Rules Within Six Months

Today (October 07, 2025), the two-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) of India directed all the States and Union Territories (UTs) to formulate rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, regarding the safety of pedestrians on roads/footpaths and maintenance standards for roads within six months. The matter was heard by the top court bench consisting of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan. The bench ordered, “We direct all States and UTs to formulate Rules under Section 138(1A) of the Motor Vehicles Act within a period of six months, if not already framed, for the purpose of regulating activities and access of non-mechanical propelled vehicles and pedestrians to public places and national highways. We direct all States and UTs to formulate and notify Rules under Section 210D of the Act within a period of six months, if not already framed, for design, construction and maintenance of standards for roads other than national highways.”

While pronouncing the order, the top court told the amicus curiae and Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal, “We have talked about the staturory provisions which have the bearing on safety of pedestrians, the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, more particularly, Sections 138(Power of State Government to make rules), 198A(Failure to comply with standards for road design, construction and maintenance), 210C(Power of Central Government to make rules), 210D(Power of State Government to make rules) then we have also discussed central government's exercise of powers under Section 210C has framed the Rules, 2020. Then, we have talked about guidelines for pedestrian safety, the second revision, June 2022, published by the Indian Roads Congress. Then we have talked about how proper and well-maintained footpaths is judicially recognised by Olga Tellis and other few judgments and implementation of the IRC Guidelines, requirement of wearing helmets, wrong lane driving and unsafe overtaking and then we have issued final directions in relation to satefy of pedestrians that is pavement and pedestrian crossing. We have also taken care of the problem arising near Delhi High Court which you talked about and we have issued directions that you should concentrate on that part. And, directions relating to white LED lights, red, blue, and unauthorised hooters.”

Later, the SC bench ordered the framing of rules within 6 months. This long-standing matter was heard earlier this year in May, when the top Court held that the right to use footpaths/footways is an essential facet of the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The directions issued today came on a petition filed by a Coimbatore-based surgeon highlighting the increase in road accidents in India. He sought directions to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to frame rules for preventing further road accidents in India.