Judgment mandates adherence to Central Motor Vehicles Rules and bans unauthorized lighting and devices to ensure road safety.
In a landmark judgment aimed at enhancing road safety, the Kerala High Court has issued stringent directives to enforce compliance with vehicle safety standards as prescribed under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and relevant AIS standards. The Division Bench comprising Justices Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. emphasized the mandatory adherence to lighting, light-signalling devices, and retro-reflectors standards for all motor vehicles, including transport vehicles, to ensure the safety of road users.
The court unequivocally prohibited unauthorized fittings such as multi-coloured LED lights, neon lights, and flashlights that pose a risk to road safety. It highlighted that any deviations from the prescribed standards are not permissible, and vehicles must strictly adhere to the standards specified in AIS-008 and AIS-052. The judgment also addressed the misuse of high-intensity headlights and unauthorized red-blue strobe lights, which have been banned due to their potential to cause temporary disorientation and increased collision risks.
Furthermore, the court directed the Kerala Transport Commissioner and the Enforcement Wing of the Motor Vehicles Department to ensure strict compliance with these safety standards, mandating action reports to be submitted. The judgment also tackled the misuse of emblems and flags on vehicles, restricting their display to constitutional authorities and specified dignitaries as per the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007.
The Kerala High Court's ruling comes in light of various concerns raised about road safety and the unauthorized modifications of vehicles that compromise the safety of road users. The court's directives aim to ensure that vehicles on the road comply with safety regulations, thereby reducing accidents and enhancing the safety of pedestrians and other road users.
The court has scheduled further proceedings to monitor the implementation of these directives and ensure compliance across the state. With this judgment, the Kerala High Court has taken a significant step towards reinforcing road safety and upholding the rule of law concerning vehicle safety standards.
Bottom line:-
Motor Vehicles Act - Mandatory compliance with safety standards for lighting, light-signalling devices, and retro-reflectors in motor vehicles to ensure the safety of road users - No exemption permissible under Rule 334 of the Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, that contradicts Central Motor Vehicles Rules or AIS safety standards.
Statutory provision(s): Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, AIS-008, AIS-052, Regulation 3 of Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017, State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007, Kerala Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Suo Motu v. Union of India, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2925960
