WATCH | Man Drives With Daughter Seated On Lap, Internet Schools Him

A viral video showing a man driving with his young daughter on his lap has sparked outrage on social media.

The 30-second clip, shared by X user Ashwin Rajenesh MD, has garnered over 400,000 views, with many condemning the man's actions as "irresponsible."

In the video, the man is seen playing with his daughter while driving, a behavior that has raised road safety concerns.

Rajenesh's caption highlights the potential danger, stating, "Looks adorable. But in the event of a frontal collision and subsequent airbag deployment, the infant's skull would be accelerated at ~320km/hr 6-8 inches into the man's thoracic cage, killing both instantly. Indian parents need a harsh reality check.."

Social media users echoed this sentiment, expressing alarm over the risks such behavior poses.

One user remarked, "Imagine the guilt the other driver would have. After a moderate crash that normally everyone would walk away from ends up with a fatality."

Another agreed, saying, "They need to be really careful when there is a young child and infants in the car. One wrong decision and mistake can change a whole life."

Many pointed out the broader implications for road safety, reported India Today.

"The driver of this car is constantly distracted and is a risk to everyone else on the road," one user noted. Another criticized the trend of creating dangerous content for social media, stating, "The 'things' people do to make reels are a 'hazard to life'."

Recalling a personal experience, a user shared, "Once in my teen, my cousin's toddler was sitting on my lap in the front seat. The car jumped into a large pothole and I heard a loud bang, which I thought was from the bottom of the car. It was the sound of my niece's head banging on the dash." Another user added, "Seat belts won't protect toddlers or young kids in the front seat."

In India, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, specifically Rule 138(3), require that children under 14 be properly seated and restrained using seat belts or child seats for their safety. Additionally, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, prohibits children from sitting on a parent's lap while driving, mandating that all passengers, including children, must be properly restrained in the vehicle.

Rajenesh further commented, "I am sure that this dad loves his daughter dearly, and I wish to believe that this dangerous indulgence of child endangerment was a singular lapse of his better judgement. Hoping he and other parents can realise the potential dangers involved in such practices, and do better."