Chennai: Pointing out that many accidents occurred due to over speeding of all types of vehicles, the Madras high court has called upon the Central and state governments to consider as to why speed governors or similar devices should not be fixed even for non-transport vehicles like cars, three wheelers and two wheelers. Asking the governments to answer this query along with the queries already raised, Justice N. Kirubakaran adjourned to July 28, further hearing of a case.
Taking note of the blatant violations of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules that mandate installation of speed governors in every transport vehicle, the judge had on July 9 put the state and Central governments on notice and sought details covering installation/non-installation of speed governor. While dealing with appeals filed by a transport corporation against award of compensation to victims of a bus accident, the judge framed 11 questions to be answered by the governments.
In his present order, the judge said the Additional Solicitor General G. Rajagopalan had filed a Central Government publication wherein the state government had been given authority to classify vehicles and also find out the category of vehicles which were to be fitted with speed governor.The judge said special government pleader M. Venugopal undertook to give details as well as the details of maximum speed limit with which each category of vehicles could be driven, not only in respect of new vehicles, but also in respect of existing vehicles by July 28.
Citing statistics published by home ministry on traffic accidents, the judge said it was crystal clear that over-speeding was the main culprit in majority of road accidents causing maximum fatalities.
Further, it was shocking to note that 51.1 percent fatalities in road accidents were due to non-transport vehicles. Controlling devices were further more essential as cars, SUVs and jeeps were fitted with high speed engines.
