'Unbelievable That Vehicles Stop On Top Of Zebra Crossing': Kerala High Court Urges State To Take Concrete Action For Pedestrian Safety

The Kerala High Court has called for urgent, concrete measures to improve pedestrian safety across the State, observing that mere reports and studies are not sufficient to make public spaces “pedestrian safe and pedestrian worthy.”

Justice Devan Ramachandran was considering a matter concerning road safety and zebra crossing.

Nagaraju C, Transport Commissioner, K Biju, Secretary, Public Works Department, and Mahesh Kumar, Inspector General of Traffic were present online during the hearing. 

The bench had previously directed to ensure scientific zebra -crossing in major junctions and intersections in major cities.  

Senior Government Pleader K. V. Manojkumar appeared for the State and submitted that memos were filed along with action taken reports and studies conducted by various agencies.

While acknowledging the documents on record, the Court stressed that what it requires is not mere reports and words but actual actions to ensure the safety of pedestrians. The Court expressed concern that even in this century, it has to intervene to ensure that zebra crossings are properly and scientifically marked. 

"Apart from the fact that most of the zebra crossing are drawn unscientifically and without a continuity to take the pedestrian from one point to the other safe, it is also rather ubiquitous that traffic does not consider the crossings and blatantly parks on top of it...It is rather unbelievable in a civilised culture that vehicles would stop on top of the zebra crossing without a care for pedestrians and oblivious to the fact that on it the pedestrians have the right of first use," the bench remarked. 

The Court further highlighted that most existing zebra crossing are drawn unscientifically and without continuity. It added that there have been many instances of accidents happening on the zebra crossing involving pedestrians which exacerbates the situation. 

The officers assured the Court that studies and action plans have already been initiated and that they would be translated into tangible results without much delay. Accepting the State's request for additional time, the Court adjourned the matter to November 20, directing the officers to be present for further interaction.

"I request the officers to be present in the next posting also for interaction, and I am certain that only through such action, a synergy can be created," the bench concluded.

Case Title: District Insurance Officer v Joy Wilson

Case No: MACA 352/ 2022

Counsel for Appellant : K V Manoj Kumar

Counsel for Respondents: Srinath Girish, P Jeril Babu, M K Sumod, Abdul Rasoof Pallipath, Vidya M K , Nirmal S