CHENNAI: The Madras High Court directed the Union and State governments to file their counter in a plea seeking the formation of a commission to inspect the fitness of all buses across Tamil Nadu to prevent road accidents.

S Devadoss Gandhi Wilson of Valasaravakkam filed a petition before the High Court seeking the strict enforcement of traffic rules to reduce accidents. He pointed out that according to World Health Organisation statistics, Tamil Nadu had the highest number of road accident deaths in South India.

The petitioner stressed that the stringent enforcement of traffic regulations was essential to curb fatalities. It further submitted that under the Motor Vehicles Act, government bus drivers must be trained by approved institutions, buses should not exceed permitted passenger capacity, sleeper buses should have both emergency exits and easily removable windows, and all buses must be fire-resistant and equipped with firefighting devices.

The plea also urged the court to order the creation of a separate commission, similar to bodies in the aviation and railway sectors, to inspect and certify the quality and safety of buses operating in the State.

Hearing the matter, a bench of Justices SM Subramaniam and P Dhanabal directed the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, State Transport Commissioner, and other respondents to file their counter affidavit within four weeks and adjourned further hearing.