Sunroofs are a major feature that people currently check for before buying a new or used car. While it may look like a very premium feature, it is not very suitable for Indian conditions. However, manufacturers offer it because customers demand it. We have come across several videos and images in the past where people have misused this feature. Here we have one such video where a law student and his girlfriend got arrested by Chennai police after a video of them drinking alcohol while standing out of the sunroof of a moving car went viral.
The video has been shared by Lokmat Times on their X profile. In this video, we see a Honda City car being driven on a public road in Chennai. It is a busy road, and we see two people standing out of the sunroof of this sedan. The video was recorded by someone who was driving behind the Honda City on the same road.
The boy and the girl are not just simply standing out from the sunroof but are also drinking. The video was posted online and, in no time, it went viral on the internet. Chennai traffic police came across the video and decided to trace the car owner and the offenders. They identified the man as 23-year-old Sanjay, who is a law student, and he was accompanied by his girlfriend Veena.
It is not clear if any action was taken against the driver of the sedan or not. However, it looks like the cops found that Sanjay not only was drinking but also drove the car under the influence of alcohol.
This is a serious offense, and that is why the cops took action. A case for reckless driving and violating road safety norms was registered against Sanjay. Some reports also suggest that the cops have seized the car that is seen in the video. Tambaram police apprehended the culprits for this irresponsible behavior. However, the case was registered at Thoraipakkam police station, which is 20 km away from Tambaram.
The couple, by standing out of the sunroof of a moving car, is actually risking their own lives and the lives of other road users. The chances of them falling off the roof or getting injured during heavy braking were pretty high. We have come across several incidents in the past where cops have taken action against road users for similar behavior.
Standing out of the sunroof of a moving vehicle is considered a stunt and is strictly prohibited by law. In fact, all passengers in India are required to wear seatbelts while the car is in motion. Failure to do so may result in a substantial fine imposed by law enforcement.
Is the sunroof the problem?
No. It is not the sunroof that is the problem. It is, in fact, people’s attitude. Sunroofs are primarily designed to facilitate air circulation in vehicles. However, in India, where many cities suffer from high levels of pollution, the practicality of using sunroofs for their intended purpose may seem questionable. This is why some individuals believe that sunroofs are meant to be opened and utilized for standing, allowing the wind to directly hit their faces.
Keeping the windows open while driving at high speeds can lead to direct airflow into the eyes, potentially causing issues. On the other hand, sunroofs are designed to recirculate the air within the vehicle without significant wind disturbance.