8. Don’t Hang Out of the Sunroof
This is a major issue in India
It might seem thrilling to stand or lean out of a sunroof while the car is moving, especially during celebrations or road trips.
But this behavior is extremely dangerous and illegal.
It puts passengers at serious risk of injury or death and distracts other drivers.
Why It’s So Dangerous
- No protection: Your head and upper body are completely exposed.
- Sudden stops or swerves: You can be thrown out or hit the roof edge.
- Flying debris or low-hanging objects: Trees, wires, or signboards can cause fatal head injuries.
- Distraction to others: It draws attention and may cause other drivers to lose focus.
- Risk of falling: Especially if the vehicle hits a bump or speed breaker.
Hanging out of a sunroof turns a moving vehicle into a hazard, for you and everyone around you.
In childhood, we were taught NOT to hang our heads out of the bus windows. Does this NOT apply to the sunroof?
Real-Life Example
Viewer discretion is advised
What can go wrong with kids poking their heads out of the sunroof? #RoadSafety @abhi_kulkarni85 @TopDriverIndia @volklub @DriveSmart_IN @RSGuy_India @ashkarna @motordave2
Legal Consequences in India
- Considered negligent and dangerous conduct under the Motor Vehicles Act 184 (f)
(f) driving in any manner that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver and where it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that manner would be dangerous, shall amount to driving in such manner which is dangerous to the public.
- Can lead to fines, license suspension, or charges against the driver
- Police may book passengers and drivers for endangering public safety
Common Misconceptions
| Misconception | Reality |
|---|---|
| "It’s just for a few seconds." | Accidents happen in milliseconds, even short exposure is risky. |
| "We’re driving slowly." | Speed doesn’t eliminate risk. Sudden stops or bumps can still cause injury. |
| "Everyone does it during celebrations." | That doesn’t make it safe or legal. |
| "Let me enjoy the hilly area view." | You can enjoy the view through the windows too. |
What You Should Do
- Keep all body parts inside the vehicle at all times
- Educate friends and family, especially teens and kids, about the risks
- Celebrate safely inside the car or outside the vehicle when parked
- If you see someone hanging out of a sunroof, speak up (if you are comfortable) or report it by recording a video.
Key Takeaways
- Hanging out of a sunroof is dangerous, illegal, and often fatal
- It offers no thrill worth risking your life
- Responsible passengers protect themselves and others
Real life examples
Sunroof is made to let the sun in but in India, the son is always out 🤣
India is perhaps the only country where car manufacturers promote sunroof as a source of entertainment and customers priorotise the following instead of safety features such as : - Airbags - Build quality - Global NCAP safety ratings - Dashcam etc ✅️ Objective of sunroof -
இது ஏப்ரல்ல நடந்த சத்பவம், இங்க வந்துச்சான்னு தெரியல. என்ன தைரியத்துல இந்த மாதிரி போறாங்கன்னு தெரியல. Sunroof இருப்பது இதுக்காக தான்னு பல மக்கள் நினைக்கிறாங்க போல. Showroom ல வண்டிய குடுக்கும் போது இந்த மாதிரி பயன்படுத்தக்கூடாதுன்னு விழிப்புணர்வு குடுக்கலாம்.
Dear Parents, Sunroofs are meant for ventilation and views, not for standing! Many don’t realise the dangers involved. Even if you are seated without wearing seat belts, an abrupt brake can be fatal or cause severe injuries as your body can be thrown out through the windshield.
Sunroof is perhaps most useless and dangerous feature promoted by OEMs in India as one of the primary features while advertising 🤦♂️ Observe how close the car is on hilly roads while these two girls are standing
Car manufacturers in India are increasingly marketing car sunroofs as a luxurious experience, but unfortunately, some people are misusing them by allowing kids to stand up and pop their heads out while driving. This reckless behavior poses a severe danger to road safety. Car
While driving on the Bengaluru-Pune highway today near Davangere Kogganuru, I noticed a car traveling at about 70-80km/h with its sunroof open and two children standing up through it. Do car dealers educate buyers on the proper and safe use of sunroofs?@RSGuy_India @motordave2
Sunroof menace once again 🚨 When are we going to stop exposing our kids to danger by letting them pop out of sunroof. Observe how this reckless SUV overtakes on a curve at Bandipura while the kids are standing !
Great job done by Honda Elevate here ✅ Always prefer a car with no sunroof / panoramic roof for that extra bit of safety in rare cases. There is a reason why developed Nations don’t bother about such features.
@volklub : what do you say about this built quality?
#Bengaluru | Acting on the footage, police traced the vehicle and issued a fine of Rs 1,500 to the SUV owner: Rs 1,000 for dangerous driving and Rs 500 for obstruction to traffic. More details here 🔗 toi.in/oB9zCZ87
Never use sunroof like this
Auto Expert- Indians have no use of sunroof. Doesn't suit our weather. Indians-
Before you open the sunroof, ask yourself:
“Is this safe or just risky fun?”
It is for your own safety. But still if you choose to hang out of the sunroof and something happens, do not blame the government.
Stay inside. Stay alive.