High Court Directs Andhra Pradesh to Enforce IRC Speed-Breaker Guidelines

Quick Summary

• Andhra Pradesh High Court (HC) directed the state government and relevant authorities to adhere to Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines for constructing speed-breakers.
• The HC instructed all existing speed-breakers to be brought in line with the standards,ensuring compliance with prescribed dimensions: 3.70 meters width, 10 centimeters height, and bumps of 17 centimeters radius.
• A PIL filed by advocate Thandava Yogesh highlighted that manny speed-breakers in Andhra Pradesh were illegal or non-compliant with IRC guidelines, posing safety risks.
• The petitioner also urged measures like reflective paint (white and yellow) on speed-breakers for night visibility and advance signage boards placed 40 meters ahead for improved safety.
• Studies cited in court indicate improperly constructed speed-breakers can lead to severe spinal injuries,disk prolapse,back pain,etc., apart from causing accidents.
• Despite earlier instructions issued by officials in February identifying illegal or defective speed breakers on roads statewide, necessary action appeared lacking.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Andhra Pradesh HC’s directive underscores a critical issue of road safety linked to non-standardized infrastructure. Improperly designed or illegally constructed speed breakers have far-reaching consequences not only for public safety but also for urban mobility and public health. The petitioner’s call for better visibility through reflective paint and advance warning signs echoes globally recognized best practices.The state’s obligation now is twofold: removing existing unsafe structures while upgrading road infrastructure per established technical norms-a process requiring diligent monitoring across highways as well as district roads. however beneficial this ruling may be in terms of safety outcomes over time, its effectiveness hinges on enforcement consistency at operational levels within the governance.