Recently, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern that national highways in the country are turning into accident traps rather than symbols of progress. A bench comprising Justice J K Maheshwari and Justice Atul Chandurkar has directed a nationwide ban on illegal parking on highways. The Court prohibited heavy vehicles from stopping or parking on the main carriageway and shoulders, emphasising that road safety is directly linked to the “right to life” under Article 21 of the Constitution. Every year, India loses nearly 3% of its GDP due to road accidents, which is alarming for a developing country. Even more concerning is that most of the victims belong to the 18“45 age group. Although national highways constitute only about 2% of the total road network, they account for 30“36% of total road accident deaths. On high-speed highways, suddenly encountering a stationary truck can be extremely dangerous. Unauthorised roadside dhabas and commercial establishments increase traffic congestion and create obstacles on highways.
Statistics reveal the severity of the issue. In 2024, around 54,443 to 57,482 deaths were reported on national highways. This means over 150 people die every day in highway accidents”more than casualties in wars. In the first six months of last year alone, about 26,770 people lost their lives in highway accidents. While highways symbolise development, the Supreme Court’s concern to prevent them from becoming death traps is justified.
