Dangerous selfie stunts by tourists raise alarm in Himachal
Shimla, June 27
A series of dangerous stunts by tourists on Himachal Pradesh’s highways and tourist destinations has raised fresh concerns over road safety, prompting police to tighten enforcement against reckless behaviour.
The latest incident was reported from the Manali-Patlikuhal road near 15 Mile, where a tourist from Punjab was caught standing through the sunroof of a moving vehicle to take selfies.
The act, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, prompted the Manali Police to take swift action.
Based on the viral video, police issued an online challan of Rs 3,500 against the owner of the vehicle bearing registration number PB-15-Z-0878 under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
According to DSP Manali KD Sharma, the vehicle belongs to Rahul Soni, a resident of Abohar in Punjab’s Fazilka district.
The officer said an increasing number of tourists are risking their lives by stepping out through sunroofs and windows of moving vehicles to shoot reels and selfies.
Such acts violate traffic rules, endanger passengers as well as other road users, and can lead to fatal accidents on the winding mountain roads. He appealed to visitors to strictly follow traffic regulations and prioritise safety.
The incident comes close on the heels of other cases in the state where tourists were found performing risky stunts. In Kinnaur, tourists were recently challaned for leaning out of the side windows and roof of a moving vehicle on National Highway-5, while in Lahaul and Spiti, police fined the driver of a Mahindra Thar Rs 2,500 after the vehicle was driven through a river channel, posing a threat to public safety and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Police authorities have observed that such violations are increasing with the growing trend of creating social media content. Tourists are often seen ignoring seat belt norms, standing through sunroofs, hanging out of windows, and performing dangerous acts on busy highways and mountain roads to record videos.
The Himachal Pradesh Police have intensified monitoring of social media and are taking action on the basis of viral videos.
Also Read
Teenager SUV stunt in river, police slaps challan for reckless driving
Authorities have also appealed to tourists to avoid taking selfies or making videos while travelling and warned that strict legal action, including hefty fines, will be taken against violators.
Officials said the objective is not only to enforce the law but also to prevent avoidable accidents and ensure that tourism in the hill state remains safe and responsible.
About the Author
