Install speed governors in two-wheelers: HC

Enhancing the compensation awarded to a woman dentist who sustained 90% disability after being hit by a Chennai Transport Corporation bus from Rs 18 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Central government to reduce the speed limits of vehicles from what is presently in vogue and also make speed governor part of all vehicles, including two-wheelers.

A division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice Abdu Quddhose, on expressing serious concern over a majority of accidents owing to speeding, said, “Every driver thinks that he is a super expert and that is the reason for many of the accidents. The mindset of the drivers should be changed. While issuing a license, the drivers should be taught to drive responsibly and cautiously, not only taking care of himself, but also considering the life of the other persons including occupiers of the opposite vehicles.”

The bench asked to incorporate road rules as a chapter in the school education to make children learn and observe the road rules. Based on this, the bench apart from directing reduction of speed limits, which was increased in 2018 and fitting speed governors in all vehicles, including two-wheelers at the manufacturing stage itself, also sought for the deployment of modern gadgets like speed guns and drones to find out the speeding vehicle to punish the driver.

Also, impleading the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and DGP, Tamil Nadu in the case, the court also wanted calibration of high-speed engines so that the vehicle does not exceed the permitted speed limit and speed breakers laid according to the road safety measures so that they don’t turn into black spots. The bench also wanted the creation of Special Courts to deal with traffic offences and the accident claims, so that all cases and claims can be dealt by the court comprehensively.