Bengaluru motorist penalised for allowing children to pop out of car sunroof

BENGALURU: Are you allowing children to stick their heads out of the sunroof of your moving car or sports utility vehicle (SUV)? Beware, you could be fined Rs 1,000 for ‘rash and negligent’ driving as a KR Puram resident recently found out after allowing his two children to pop their heads out of the sunroof of his Kia Seltos, while on the move on Marathahalli main road.
A video of the incident was shot by another motorist on his mobile phone and uploaded on X, tagging city police. Acting suo motu, jurisdictional HAL traffic police station traced the vehicle owner and slapped a Rs 1,000 fine on him. Children, and even adults, are often seen popping out of the sunroofs of speeding vehicles. The latest punitive measure is expected to serve as a deterrence against such practices.

MN Anuchet, the joint commissioner of police (traffic), said allowing someone to pop out of the sunroof of a moving car or SUV is considered ‘unsafe driving practice’.
“Letting vehicle occupants stick their heads out of the sunroof of a moving car is unsafe and dangerous. Though we have not heard of any major accidents in this regard, such a practice is totally illegal. Therefore, we are booking such car owners/drivers for rash and negligent driving with a fine of Rs 1,000,” he explained.
Another police officer said this negligence is mostly noticeable within the city on weekends and on highways as well.
“Not only children and youths, but even women are seen popping out of sunroofs, either making video recordings or clicking selfies. This is illegal and irresponsible,” he added.
—With inputs from Meghna S Warrier