No vlogging in driver’s cabin: Kerala HC demands stricter vehicle safety measures

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has called for stricter measures against vlogging in the driver’s cabin of moving vehicles. The court also directed the State Police Chief and the Transport Commissioner to take action against the use of blinding lights and other illegal vehicle modifications. The order was passed in a suo motu case concerning safety hazards arising from unauthorised vehicle alterations.

Videos related to these violations were examined during the proceedings. This included footage of a major accident in which a passenger bus and a lorry collided with the rear of a goods lorry that was being driven recklessly while a video was being filmed in the driver’s cabin. The footage also showed students on an excursion dancing inside a bus amid loud music and flashing laser lights.

A modified recovery van was seen carrying more passengers than legally permitted, with LED panels installed illegally.

The Transport Commissioner and the Education Department have been instructed to investigate these incidents and submit a report.

The court also imposed a fine of ₹500 for each illegal light detected. The Education Department has also been instructed to identify and provide details of the school involved in the excursion shown in the video. The Registry was directed to forward the videos examined by the court to the relevant authorities for further action.

The petition will be reviewed again after two weeks.