To be honest, there is no shortage of cars or four-wheelers in general in India, and the roads are usually jam-packed with them. That’s one of the key reasons why there are so many car addicts that happen every single year in India, and that’s mainly because of the traffic, reckless driving, and things like that. One thing that also leads to car accidents is playing loud music in the car, and if you came here to know whether it is legal to do so or not, we’d like to tell you that as per the law, it is not allowed and you can be charged with a fine if caught doing so.
But the thing is, many people don’t think that listening to loud music is a big deal in India, and they just blast the music way too loud, not knowing that it is actually not allowed in India. Once again, we are talking about loud music, not normal volume. And you’ll be surprised to know how many people actually play loud music in their car, you know, just to show off some time.
So, What Are Specific Laws Regarding This?
Just so you know, right here in India, the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 is the core rule that regulates driving behavior, traffic safety, and vehicle operations in the county. Not just that, you see, over the years, several modifications have been initiated to keep the roads safe and manage the ever-increasing traffic. But being specific here, well, one of the crucial updates was the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations in 2017, which is aimed at resolving the problem of loud music in cars. According to Section 118 of this regulation, drivers should avoid playing loud music in the vehicle, as that could distract the driver and increase the risk of the occurrence of an accident.
Also, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 came about with improved penalties for disobeying the rules, thus proving the government’s commitment to road safety, did you know that already? Yes, that’s another one to keep in mind.
Is Playing Loud Music While Driving Illegal in India?
To say it simply: Yes, playing loud music in the car is not allowed in India. The statute is explicit that any kind of diversion, including loud music, is regarded as hazardous when driving a car. You see, it is seen that drivers can be penalized under Section 177A of the Motor Vehicles Act for playing music at a volume that may distract them. The fines vary from ₹500 to ₹1000 based on how serious the offense is. Once a driver is stopped repeatedly, they may incur a suspension of their driver’s license.
Just so you know though, traffic police are allowed to stop the drivers who are playing loud music if it is going to be a danger to the vehicles on the road or pedestrians. If you are playing music way too loud in your car, it can very well separate you from your surroundings and can lead you to reckless driving. So, that’s not just safe for the other people driving on the road, but for yourself too.
