Banned! Your taxi will not have this big 'safety' feature soon
The notification reportedly stated that the child locks can be misused by criminals in case of taxis, especially when used by women passengers. Nearly a year ago, vehicle and equipment manufacturers were asked to look into misuse of the feature and ensure women safety in the vehicles.
)
11:02 PM IST
It was touted as the best thing to happen to cars and other vehicles! It was considered as the ultimate in safety features for passengers, especially children. But this unique system turned into a terror for women passengers and the government has cracked down hard on it. In order to provide better security on roads, especially for women, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a new directive related to child locks. The ministry notification has directed that all M1 category transport vehicles, which are used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, should disable 'Child Lock' feature with effect from July 1, 2019.
The notification reportedly stated that the child locks can be misused by criminals in case of taxis, especially when used by women passengers. Nearly a year ago, vehicle and equipment manufacturers were asked to look into misuse of the feature and ensure women safety in the vehicles.
The issue had cropped up in mainstream media after an incident in 2017 in Bengaluru. In the incident, a cab driver reportedly harassed a woman passenger after she was locked inside the taxi using the child lock system.
The MoRTH directive today will now put the onus on both OEMs and vehicle dealers to ensure that M1 category transport vehicles do not have child lock feature.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
M&M Q3 Results: Strong growth as net profit surges 19% to Rs 2,964 crore
Hero MotoCorp shares fall over 3% as December sales decline sharply
Final Trade: Sensex gains 130 points; Nifty tops 23,750; Nifty auto, pharma outperforms 
Final Trade: Sensex closes flat; Nifty below 24,600; Bajaj Finance, Britannia gain 2%
Maruti Suzuki shares rise 4% as automaker plans price hike up in January
