What Action Taken Against Vloggers Promoted Illegally Modified Vehicles? Kerala High Court Asks Ministry Of Transport

The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Harisankar V. Menon ordered thus:

“The Deputy Solicitor General of India-in-Charge shall get necessary instructions from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on the action, if any, taken by the Ministry to prevent vloggers uploading videos promoting use of motor vehicles in public places, violating the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air pollution and the recording of videos inside the driver cabin of contract carriages and other vehicles, while the vehicle is moving, thereby disturbing the concentration of the driver while driving.”

Last week the Court issued a slew of directions to the Enforcement Officers of the Motor Vehicles Department about the action against vloggers under the Motor Vehicles Act who record video inside the driver's cabin of moving vehicles and endangering the safety of road users. It also directed officials to collect videos of extensively modified and altered vehicles by registered owners or vloggers uploaded on online video platforms like YouTube. Further, the Court prohibited usage of modified vehicles brought through the carnet in public places and for events like auto shows.

The Court noted that despite directions issued by the Court, motor vehicles were being altered and modified violating road safety standards and causing air and noise pollution. It stated that retroreflectors fitted on the rear bumper of motor cars were being replaced by after- market red lights which interferes with the vision of oncoming vehicles and pedestrians. It further stated that vehicles with unauthorized name boards like 'Government of Kerala', 'Kerala State', 'Government of India' were used in public places with unauthorized flashlights and strobe lights to carry Sabarimala pilgrims causing a threat to their safety.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 13, 2024.

Case title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala

Case number: SSCR Nos.29, 30 and 36 of 2023

Click here to read/download the Order