Harassed or not, if you who leave your children locked up in your car to run an errand, you can be penalised.

The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department has issued a circular stating that such acts will attract penalty with immediate effect.

The department issued the circular after police had to intervene to get children out of the car on more than one occasion.

Transport Commissioner S Ananthakrishnan said that many parents leave their children locked up in the car for the sake of convenience.

“What most people don’t realize is that this could be fatal to the child,” he said.

He pointed out that though provision to take action against such drivers already exists, seldom is any action taken against them. According to Rule 21 of Motor Vehicles Act, any action that can possibly cause inconvenience or harm to the passengers is punishable.

Regular checks will be conducted to ensure that such instances do not occur. 

“For now we have decided to suspend the offender’s licenses. In cases where the child is injured or death occurs because of being locked up in the vehicle, a criminal case can be filed against the owner of the vehicle,” the transport commissioner said.

Also read: Hyderabad parents leave 3-year-old girl in locked car while they go to eat, locals rescue her