Bengaluru Sunroof Mishap - Police Commissioner Issues Strict Warning!
Sunroof has become a highly sought-after feature among Indian buyers. People love it, and manufacturers now offer it even on budget models. A recent video from Bengaluru shows improper use of this feature leading to a young boy getting hurt. Standing through open sunroofs is common in India. One such incident went terribly wrong, causing the boy’s head to hit a low barrier. Now, the commissioner of Police has issued a strict warning to everyone owning cars equipped with this feature. He said that it is absolutely illegal to put one’s head out through the sunroof, and reiterated that strict action will be taken against such offenders.
This incident happened on North Bengaluru’s GKVK Road. A Mahindra XUV 3XO finished in Red was driving through the road, with a kid standing through its sunroof.
The video that surfaced online shows the kid’s head hitting a low barrier, which was originally meant to block heavy vehicles from entering the area. The impact pushed him into the car and likely caused injuries to his head. The clip sparked active discussions online.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau reveals that road accidents killed more than 1.5 lakh people in India, in 2021. Careless acts such as these would potentially contribute more to this.
Soon after the incident, the Bengaluru traffic police tracked down the XUV 3XO using its registration number. The driver, identified as K M Kitty, was booked for letting the boy stand through the sunroof while driving.. The boy, as confirmed by the police later, did not suffer any serious injuries and did not have to be taken to a hospital either.
Videos of the incident have already gone viral. Taking these into consideration, Karthik Reddy, the joint commissioner of police (traffic) said, "Putting one's head through the sunroof is strictly illegal and stringent action will be taken against offenders,". The police have also registered a suo moto case under section 281 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rash and negligent driving.
Data from dealers reveal that sunroof as a feature, enjoys huge acceptance in India. Nearly 80% of Hyundai SUVs sold in Karnataka are equipped with a sunroof. It is particularly popular among families with children.
Police and road safety experts explain that standing through a sunroof is more dangerous than it looks. A sudden brake or swerve can thrash the person against the roof or even throw him/her out of the car.
Boards, barriers, branches of trees, and wires/cables can all harms the person. Even strong winds, dust, or flying debris can cause mishaps. Additionally, it can even distract the driver and potentially lead to larger crashes.
Unlike what most people believe, a sunroof is not for occupants to stick their heads out or to stand through and get a ‘wind-in-the-hair’ experience. It has a more meaningful purpose to serve. A sunroof is meant to let more light and air into the cabin.
This makes the interior feel more pleasant and airy. This can improve the experience significantly for people who are claustrophobic.
The sunroof also helps in ventilation. If the car is parked in the sun, the easiest way to flush out hot air would be by opening the sunroof. This will make it easier for the vehicle’s air conditioning system to cool the cabin to the set temperature.