Sudden Braking on Highways is Negligence: Supreme Court

Rapid Summary:

• The Supreme Court held that a car driver who applies sudden brakes on a highway without warning can be held negligent in road accidents.
• A bench of Justices Suddhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar ruled that high-speed highway driving requires drivers to signal before stopping their vehicles abruptly.
• The case originated from an accident in Coimbatore (January 7, 2017), where engineering student S Mohammed Hakim suffered the amputation of his left leg after his motorcycle collided with the rear of a car that stopped suddenly.He was later run over by an approaching bus.
• The car driver stated he applied brakes due to his pregnant wife’s vomiting sensation, but the court rejected this reason as unreasonable.
• Liability was apportioned:

– Car driver – 50% responsible,
– Bus driver – 30%,
– Hakim (contributory negligence) – 20%.

• Compensation of ₹1.14 crore was awarded to Hakim,reduced by his contributory negligence liability,payable within four weeks by the insurance companies involved.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

This verdict underscores critical implications for road safety awareness and legal accountability on Indian highways. By emphasizing the obligation of drivers to warn others before making abrupt stops, particularly under high-speed traffic conditions, it reinforces principles for ensuring safer public roads. Negligent actions such as applying sudden brakes due to personal emergencies may now face stricter scrutiny and liability under law.

Furthermore, this raises broader discussions about contributory negligence-drivers must maintain sufficient distance between vehicles while adhering to licensing norms. Importantly for victims like Hakim,enhanced compensation along with clearer liability distribution offers better reparative justice frameworks.This case highlights how evolving judicial interpretations balance individual incidents with collective motor safety standards vital for India’s busy highways.

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