Sunroofs are one of the biggest selling factors for cars in India and the desirability is so strong that even a hat with a sunroof would sell. While it gives the vehicle’s cabin an airy feel and lets some light in, sunroofs don’t really do anything else. However, that’s not the case in India — it acts as a great place to stick your kids out. While this act may seem harmless, it has a much bigger concern waiting to happen.
Sunroofs — What made them famous in India?
In recent years, the automotive market saw a boom in India, with people wanting more from a vehicle. SUVs saw an explosion in sales and the way we look at cars and associate them with status has only become stronger.
Sunroofs, a feature found in high-end cars and SUVs — which are still out of reach for many — are a desire for many. Utilising this want, carmakers made them available in mass market cars and popularity grew — from hatchbacks to sedans to compact SUVs.
But why are sunroofs dangerous?
The danger is not the sunroof itself, as carmakers have made the structure stronger despite putting a massive hole in the roof. The danger comes in the form of how we use them. Having children sticking out of the roof of a moving vehicle is a recipe for disaster.
Children standing out of the sunroof, especially when half their body is sticking out, are prone to being flung out of the vehicle under heavy braking. Even those with just the necks sticking out, can be seriously harmed. Debris from other vehicles can also be flung on, causing serious harm to children.
Should there be a law around sunroofs?
In a simple word, yes. Why have Indian authorities made rules about cars being safe and started an NCAP crash test for vehicles, if one can buy a five-star safety-rated car and just stick their children out? Why should the common man pay so much for all the added features like extra airbags, ABS, 360-degree camera, and so on?
Also, when the government can tighten the strings around offences like drunk driving, minors driving, not wearing seat belts, and other traffic offences, why aren’t there rules for Indians not using common sense? It’s time the authorities start treating children standing out of the sunroofs as a serious offence for the sake of safety, or if not, blanket ban sunroofs. Let the carmakers stop offering them.