A number of advertisements these days are aired with the lead characters shown flouting basic traffic rules such as fastening a seat-belt or wearing a helmet. Such instances of advertisements showing traffic violations may soon become a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles Act if a proposal by the Transport Ministry makes its way through. Reports suggest that firms or companies concerned with such advertisements may soon come under the scanner.
Earlier this month, high ranking officials from the state transport department were said to have been pushing for a new section under the Motor Vehicles Act that may make such advertisements a severe offence. Even as the state officials collectively supported zero tolerance, the road transport ministry has proposed a warning message for such advertisements.
One of the officials who was present during the meeting said that some of the manufacturers have made a few irresponsible advertisements where unsafe driving was displayed. The official further went on to add that such driving wasn’t essential unless and until it was something such as a film scene where the protagonist has to drive at insane speeds to catch a thief.
The report further added that there would be a different set of rules for art works and films as they may play an important part in the overall script. In such cases, the respective producers would be asked to display a warning when a stunt is being shown.
Source:Â Times of India
I don’t think showing some ‘warning caption’ under the exciting advertisement scenes will make some sense. I was wondering why govt. is making ABS mandatory, but not doing anything on the quality of bad roads!
P.S: Recently traffic police was charged a case against a Malayalam actor for riding bike without helmet in a movie scene. People noticed it only when the case filed! 😀
“treat the problem rather than the symptom”
Should have been the norm from the beginning.