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Supreme Court directs states to enforce speed governors, VLTDs and emergency buttons in transport vehicles
The Supreme Court on May 13, 2026 directed states and Union territories to strictly enforce CMVR provisions mandating speed governors, vehicle location tracking devices with panic buttons, and related safety measures in passenger transport. It ordered time-bound installation and retrofitting, denied fitness certificates to violators, and instructed data integration with VAHAN, with a September review planned. The court highlighted very low prior adoption of these devices, citing 2024 Parliament data, and called for coordinated action with manufacturers and regulators.
Why It Matters
The directives aim to significantly enhance passenger safety, particularly for women, the elderly, and children, by expanding mandatory safety tech in buses and other public transport. Enforcement and data integration could impact vehicle compliance, regulatory oversight, and public safety outcomes.
Timeline
3 Events
Court to review compliance in September 2026
September 2026
The Supreme Court posted the matter for September 2026 to consider compliance with its directions and asked the Centre to file an updated response by the next date of hearing.
Supreme Court directs enforcement of CMVR safety devices; issues time-bound orders
May 13, 2026
In a public interest litigation on road safety reforms, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan directed states and Union Territories to strictly enforce Rule 125H (VLTD with panic button) and Rule 118 (speed governors) under CMVR. The court noted breaches, emphasized VLTD as a safety measure for passengers (especially women, the elderly and children), and ordered strict enforcement in all new and existing public service vehicles. It also stated that fitness certificates or permits shall not be issued to vehicles flouting these conditions. The court asked states and UTs to file fresh status reports on SLD compliance, and directed MoRTH to engage with manufacturers to pre-install SLDs and VLTDs in new vehicles while retrofitting existing ones. It also instructed integration of compliance data with the VAHAN portal and posted the matter for September to consider compliance, asking the Centre to file an updated response by the next date of hearing.
Parliament data reveals low adoption of SLD and VLTD in 2024
2024
Data released by Parliament in 2024 indicates that less than 5% of transport vehicles have speed-limiting devices (SLD) and less than 1% have vehicle location tracking devices with an emergency button (VLTD).