Andhra Pradesh HC Demands Accountability on Traffic Rule Enforcement

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has reprimanded the Police Department for its inadequate enforcement of traffic rules, particularly the helmet mandate for two-wheelers, during a hearing of a PIL filed by advocate T. Yogesh. Summoning the Inspector General (Traffic) for an explanation on December 18, the court criticized the failure to address road safety and the State’s persistent traffic police vacancies.

Judges emphasized the need for stricter penalties and proactive measures to reduce road accidents, stating that fines alone are insufficient. The PIL highlighted non-compliance with Rule 167A of the Central Motor Vehicles (Seventeenth Amendment) Rules, 2021, and underscored the necessity of electronic enforcement mechanisms. The court warned against negligence, urging swift action to prevent further loss of lives and injuries.