The Andhra Pradesh High Court has instructed the state government to strictly follow the guidelines set by the Indian Road Congress for constructing speed bumps. This directive applies to the Chief Secretary, the Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation, the Municipal Administration and PR & RD Departments, and the Director General of Police.

The court's order mandates that existing speed bumps be brought into compliance with the latest guidelines, and that any new ones be built accordingly. These instructions were issued during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by an advocate who argued that current speed bump construction practices are not adhering to the Indian Road Congress specifications. The advocate also highlighted the presence of numerous improperly constructed speed bumps.

According to the established standards, speed bumps should measure 3.70 meters in width and 10 centimeters in height, with bumps having a 17-centimeter radius. The petitioner pointed out that despite a previous memo from the Chief Engineer of Roads and Buildings indicating instructions were given to identify and remove illegal or defective speed bumps, no action had been taken. The advocate also requested that speed bumps be painted with reflective white and yellow colors for better visibility, especially at night, and that warning signs be placed 40 meters in advance for safety. Studies have indicated that improperly built speed bumps can cause accidents and lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord compression, disc prolapse, and back pain.

A government representative informed the court that there have been recent updates to the relevant Indian Road Congress guidelines, which will be submitted for review.

Original article

Actionable Information:

There is no direct actionable information for a normal person to *do* anything right now. The article reports on a court order directed at government bodies. However, it does provide specific dimensions for speed bumps (3.70 meters width, 10 cm height, 17 cm radius) and suggests painting them with reflective colors and placing warning signs 40 meters in advance. While not direct instructions for individuals, this information could be used by citizens to identify non-compliant speed bumps in their area.

Educational Depth:

The article offers some educational depth by explaining the *why* behind the court's directive. It details the potential negative health impacts of improperly constructed speed bumps, such as spinal cord compression and back pain, and mentions that studies support these claims. It also highlights the specific standards set by the Indian Road Congress, providing concrete measurements.

Personal Relevance:

The topic has personal relevance as it directly relates to road safety and potential physical harm. Improperly constructed speed bumps can affect anyone who drives or rides on roads where they are present, impacting their safety and health. The information about correct dimensions and visibility measures could lead to safer driving conditions.

Public Service Function:

The article serves a public service function by reporting on a court's mandate to improve road safety infrastructure. It highlights a specific issue (non-compliant speed bumps) and the legal action taken to address it. It informs the public about standards that should be followed, which can empower them to advocate for safer roads.

Practicality of Advice:

The "advice" in terms of speed bump specifications is practical for authorities responsible for road construction. For a normal person, the practicality lies in being aware of these standards, which could be used to report non-compliant speed bumps to local authorities.

Long-Term Impact:

The long-term impact could be improved road safety and reduced instances of accidents and injuries caused by faulty speed bumps. If the court's directive is followed, it could lead to more consistent and safer road infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh.

Emotional or Psychological Impact:

The article might evoke a sense of concern regarding current road conditions and the potential for injury. However, by reporting on the court's intervention, it also offers a sense of hope that the situation will be rectified, leading to safer environments.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words:

The article does not appear to use clickbait or ad-driven words. It reports on a legal and governmental matter in a straightforward manner.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide:

The article missed a chance to provide more direct guidance to the public. For instance, it could have included information on *how* a citizen can report a non-compliant speed bump to the relevant authorities, such as providing contact details or a website for complaints. A normal person could find better information by searching for the Indian Road Congress guidelines online or by contacting their local municipal corporation or road transport department to inquire about reporting procedures for road infrastructure issues.

The reliance on external mandates for basic road safety, like the proper construction of speed bumps, signals a breakdown in local responsibility and stewardship. When the community, through its elders or designated caretakers, fails to ensure the safety of its own pathways, it erodes the trust and mutual obligation that bind neighbors together. The fact that existing, improperly built speed bumps have persisted despite prior internal directives suggests a neglect of duty towards the vulnerable members of the community, particularly children and elders who are most at risk from poorly constructed obstacles.

The advocate's intervention, while addressing a practical problem, highlights a failure of local accountability. The expectation that speed bumps should be painted with reflective colors and marked with advance warning signs is a basic aspect of caring for those who travel the land, especially during times of reduced visibility. When these simple measures are not implemented, it indicates a lack of proactive care for the well-being of kin and neighbors. The reported injuries from improperly built speed bumps—spinal cord compression, disc prolapse, and back pain—are direct consequences of this neglect, impacting the physical capacity of individuals to contribute to the family and community.

The situation reveals a dependency on distant authorities to enforce standards that should be inherent in local duty. This shift of responsibility away from fathers, mothers, and extended kin weakens the natural bonds of care and protection. When the community cannot self-regulate for its own safety, it diminishes the collective capacity to manage resources and resolve conflicts peacefully. The failure to act on previous internal memos regarding defective speed bumps demonstrates a disregard for the land and the people who depend on it.

The real consequences if such reliance on external mandates and neglect of local duty spread unchecked are a further erosion of family cohesion and community trust. Children yet to be born will inherit a landscape where basic safety is not a shared responsibility but a matter of external decree, potentially leading to a decline in birth rates as the sense of collective security and proactive care diminishes. Stewardship of the land will suffer as the ingrained sense of duty to maintain it for the benefit of all kin is replaced by passive expectation. This ultimately weakens the foundations upon which the survival and continuity of the people depend.

The text uses passive voice to hide who is responsible for the problem. It says "no action had been taken" instead of saying who failed to take action. This makes it unclear who is at fault for the speed bumps not being fixed. It hides the specific people or departments that did not follow the previous memo.

The text uses strong words to describe the negative effects of bad speed bumps. It mentions "accidents," "serious injuries," "spinal cord compression," "disc prolapse," and "back pain." This language is used to make the problem seem very serious and urgent. It aims to convince the reader that the issue needs immediate attention and that the court's order is very important.

The text presents the advocate's claims as facts without offering counter-evidence. For example, it states the advocate "argued that current speed bump construction practices are not adhering to the Indian Road Congress specifications" and "highlighted the presence of numerous improperly constructed speed bumps." This framing makes the advocate's points seem like undisputed truths. It doesn't show if there are any differing opinions on the construction practices.

The text conveys a sense of concern and a call for action, primarily driven by the advocate's filing of a public interest litigation. This concern is evident in the description of "improperly constructed speed bumps" and the potential for "accidents and serious injuries, including spinal cord compression, disc prolapse, and back pain." This language aims to create worry in the reader about the current state of road safety. The strength of this concern is moderate, as it's presented factually rather than with overly dramatic language, but it's significant enough to prompt legal action. The purpose of highlighting these risks is to underscore the importance of the court's directive and to persuade readers that the issue is serious and requires immediate attention.

The writer uses the advocate's arguments to build a case for the necessity of adhering to the Indian Road Congress guidelines. Phrases like "not adhering to the Indian Road Congress specifications" and the mention of a previous memo where "no action had been taken" suggest a frustration or disappointment with the lack of compliance. This subtly aims to build trust in the advocate's position and the court's intervention by showing that established rules were ignored. The emotion here is one of justified complaint, which aims to validate the need for the court's order.

Furthermore, the request for "reflective white and yellow colors for better visibility, especially at night, and that warning signs be placed 40 meters in advance for safety" demonstrates a proactive and safety-oriented approach. This conveys a sense of responsibility and a desire for improved conditions. The strength of this is moderate, presented as a practical solution. The purpose is to show that the advocate is not just pointing out problems but also offering concrete solutions, which can inspire confidence and support for the proposed changes.

The overall message is persuasive because it links a clear problem (unsafe speed bumps) with a credible authority (Indian Road Congress guidelines) and a legal solution (court order). The writer employs a tool of highlighting inaction ("no action had been taken") to emphasize the urgency and the need for the court's intervention, making the situation seem more critical. By detailing the specific dimensions of proper speed bumps and the potential injuries from improper ones, the text makes the issue concrete and relatable, encouraging the reader to agree with the need for stricter adherence to safety standards.