Against the backdrop of an extraordinary burden of fatalities and injuries in road crashes, it is a gross failure of governance that about 56 per cent of vehicles on Indian roads are uninsured. In absolute terms, that is a staggering 16.54 crore vehicles.

Among two-wheelers, which are involved in a large share of accidents, vehicles without valid insurance exceed those with cover. India witnessed 1.8 lakh road traffic accident deaths in 2025, and injuries left several lakh incapacitated.

It is wholly welcome, therefore, that the Supreme Court has taken fresh cognisance of this derelict state of affairs and issued directions to address the crisis.

Absence of third-party insurance, which is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, paralyses the compensation process........

© Free Press Journal