- Supreme Court bans parking of heavy vehicles on national highways except in designated zones
- National highways cause nearly 30% of road deaths despite being 2% of India's roads
- Technology like ATMS and GPS monitoring mandated for enforcing parking and safety rules
In a significant move to improve road safety, the Supreme Court of India issued a directive ,prohibiting the parking of heavy and commercial vehicles on national highways. The apex court noted that National Highways constitute approximately 2% of India's total road length but account for nearly 30% of all road fatalities. A road, particularly a high-speed Expressway, must not become a corridor of peril due to administrative lethargy or infrastructural gaps. The loss of even a single life to avoidable hazards like illegal parking or blackspots etc., represents a failure of the State's protective umbrella.
No Parking Except Designated Zones
As per the order, trucks and commercial vehicles will no longer be allowed to stop or park on highway carriageways or even on paved shoulders. The only exception is designated parking bays, lay-bys, or officially approved wayside amenities. This step directly targets one of the leading causes of highway accidents-stationary vehicles on high-speed roads. Poor visibility, especially at night, has often led to fatal crashes involving parked trucks.
Tech-Driven Enforcement And Strict Deadlines
To ensure effective implementation, the court has mandated the use of technology-driven enforcement systems. These include Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), GPS-enabled photographic evidence, and integrated e-challan systems for real-time monitoring and penalties.
Multiple authorities-including NHAI, state police, and transport departments-have been tasked with enforcement. The court has also set a strict 60-day deadline for full compliance, with district magistrates responsible for creating standard operating procedures and overseeing execution.
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Crackdown On Highway Encroachments
The ruling goes beyond parking restrictions. The court has also banned the construction and operation of new dhabas or commercial establishments within highway boundaries. Existing unauthorized structures must be removed within 60 days, while all licences and approvals near highways will undergo review. The aim is to eliminate distractions, illegal access points, and unsafe roadside activity that contribute to accidents.
Additionally, dedicated highway safety task forces will be set up at the district level to monitor compliance and take corrective action.
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Focus On Safer Highways
The court highlighted that national highways account for only about 2 percent of India's road network but nearly 30 percent of total road fatalities. This disproportion underscores the urgent need for stricter safety measures.
To address infrastructure gaps, authorities have also been directed to improve lighting at accident-prone areas, enhance surveillance, and develop truck lay-bys at regular intervals. Overall, the ruling marks a comprehensive push towards safer highways, combining strict enforcement, infrastructure upgrades, and accountability across agencies.