Kerala: Get Ready To Face Legal Action If You Lock Kids Inside Vehicles

In an initiative to reduce the incidents of children getting locked inside parked cars, the state transport commissioner, S. Aananthakrishnan has issued a circular asking the officials to take action against parents/owners in such cases.

In a circular published on September 19, 2016, the transport commissioner has approved to take decisions on the basis of central motor vehicle rules.

"There are repeated incidents reported across the state, the latest one was reported from Ernakulam," said the transport commissioner.

Usually, people leave kids inside their vehicle with the window glasses rolled up, causing the child inside to suffocate or even a heat-stroke. The circular says that if the child is left inside the car with the air conditioner on and engine running, there is a good chance of gas leakage from the A/C duct which could be harmful to the person inside.

The circular also points out about the risk of the child releasing the handbrake or changing dropping a gear, which will cause accidents. Also, the vehicle theft can be easy if the engine is left idling.

The commissioner added that the licence of the concerned person would be cancelled for cases of leaving a child locked inside the vehicle.