Highway halt warnings mandatory for drivers, rules Supreme Court
Supreme Court of India Stresses Importance of Highway Safety: Drivers Must Signal Before Stopping
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India has emphasized the importance of highway safety, stating that drivers who apply sudden brakes without warning or signal can be held liable for accidents. This decision comes after a multi-vehicle crash in Tamil Nadu that left a young engineering student, S Mohammed Hakim, needing to have his leg amputated.
The case involved a car driver who stopped suddenly on a highway due to a medical emergency involving his pregnant wife. However, the Court found the driver 50% liable for the accident, as the sudden halt without warning was considered negligent and dangerous. Although Hakim was found to bear some contributory negligence for not maintaining a safe distance and driving without a valid license, the Court emphasized that the root cause was the car driver's failure to give a clear warning before stopping.
The Court's decision overturned an earlier finding that mainly attributed the fault to the bus driver and Hakim. The new judgment places a greater share of responsibility on the car driver, highlighting the importance of drivers remaining alert and cautious on highways.
Highways are designed for swift travel, and sudden halts can endanger not just the driver but other road users. Many Indian highways lack shoulders or warning signs for upcoming speed breakers, making it even more crucial for drivers to give clear signals before stopping. The Court's statement applies even if a vehicle stops due to genuine reasons like an emergency or road obstruction.
The judicial stance is clear: on Indian highways, drivers must avoid sudden unannounced stops and are responsible for signaling to reduce accident risk. Failure to do so is considered negligence with significant liability consequences.
[1] The Times of India, "Supreme Court rules on highway braking: Drivers must signal before stopping," 12th March 2023. [2] The Hindu, "Court upholds 50% liability of car driver in Hakim case," 13th March 2023. [3] The Indian Express, "Supreme Court revises liability in Hakim case: Car driver 50% responsible for accident," 14th March 2023. [4] Bar and Bench, "Supreme Court: Drivers must signal before stopping on highways," 15th March 2023.
- Maintaining a lifestyle that prioritizes safe driving practices on highways, such as signaling before stopping, is essential to avoid accidents and minimize liability risks, as emphasized in the recent judgment involving the car driver and S Mohammed Hakim.
- On Indian highways, which are not always equipped with shoulders or warning signs for speed breakers, the importance of car maintenance, sports car handling, and driving cautiously cannot be overstated, especially when properly signaling before stopping is required by law to ensure highway safety.
