Synopsis
A public interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court of India to restrict scenes in media that show gross disrespect for traffic laws. The petition advocates for measures similar to bans on tobacco portrayals, highlighting the influence of films on young audiences and seeking to reduce road fatalities through responsible media representation.Key Takeaways
- PIL filed to limit unsafe driving portrayals.
- Proposed disclaimers for necessary scenes.
- Focus on reducing road fatalities.
- Influence of media on young viewers.
- Call for policy re-evaluation on road safety.
New Delhi, Feb 23 (NationPress) A public interest litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Supreme Court, aiming to impose restrictions on scenes depicted in films, TV shows, OTT platforms, or advertisements that exhibit a severe disregard for traffic regulations.
The petition argues that implementing such restrictions would parallel the existing bans on cigarette and tobacco portrayals, as well as advertisements for liquor and tobacco products in India.
Should these scenes be deemed necessary for storytelling, the petition suggests they should be accompanied by an on-screen disclaimer (similar to those for tobacco products), advising viewers against engaging in traffic violations, stunts, or racing.
Filed by the NGO 'Tsunami on Roads', the PIL emphasizes the influence of films and television on audiences, particularly young viewers, who often look up to film stars. By showcasing more responsible driving behavior, the industry could significantly reduce fatal accidents while enhancing public awareness about road safety, including the causes of accidents and societal attitudes.
The petition states, “Therefore, a regulation over such visuals in films and television would certainly aid in decreasing road fatalities in our nation.”
The plea requests that the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) implement measures to restrict or discourage scenes that blatantly violate traffic laws or portray artists engaging in such actions. Furthermore, it calls for discouragement of advertisements that glorify unsafe driving practices.
Noting a concerning increase in road accident fatalities, the petition highlights that, instead of a decline, the number of accidents has surged from 1.5 lakh in 2021 to 1.7 lakh in 2023.
It points out the irony of India having the highest rate of road accident deaths globally, with 40-50 percent of victims being adolescents or young individuals. The petition urges a re-evaluation of current policies to understand the lack of desired outcomes and to develop innovative strategies to tackle this issue.
According to the cause list published on the Supreme Court's website, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan will address the case on February 23.
