After smoking, scenes with rash driving may come with warnings

Scenes of over-speeding and rash driving shown in advertisements and movies could soon come with a warning clause, similar to clips of cigarette and tobacco products with anti-smoking messages, if recommendations by state transport secretaries get accepted by the government.

The need to have a disclaimer for such ads was discussed at the meeting of the group, which also included officials of the Union home ministry and the Delhi police, on Friday. “Such ads influence audience, especially the youth. Officials cited ads of a well-known kitchen ware brand where the model is shown speeding on a bike. Many commercials of tyres and automobiles also tend to glamorise speeding,” a source who attended the meeting said.

The group also discussed measures to curb accidents and strengthen road safety that could be incorporated in the 21-year-old Motor Vehicle Act through amendments .“The recommendations will be taken up by the empowered group of state transport ministers on April 29. If they accept, we will start the process to amend the Motor Vehicle Act and incorporate the changes,” said a senior official of the ministry which organised the Friday’s meeting.The proposal to punish the parents of underage drivers was also discussed in the meeting. The ministry is backing a proposal to introduce a provision to charge the parents of juvenile drivers and send the errant minors to do community service.

“The liability of parents of juvenile drivers needs to be fixed. If a minor is involved, it will be presumed that the parents know and willingly allowed or influenced the child,” an official said.

The group also discussed stiffer penalties for traffic violations.

“The existing fines are minuscule and have lost their relevance. We have seen during the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and the ongoing odd-even drive that hefty penalties do act as a deterrent,” said Sandeep Goel, special commissioner of police (traffic), Delhi police.