Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, Sep 16: In a bid to curb reckless driving and ensure public safety, the Odisha government has launched a statewide crackdown on individuals violating traffic norms while filming social media reels.

The move comes in response to a surge in viral videos showing dangerous stunts on roads, often leading to accidents and fatalities.

Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has directed all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and police units to take strict action against such offenders. Under the supervision of Transport Secretary Usha Padhee and Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, enforcement teams are actively monitoring both roads and social media platforms to identify violators.

Recent incidents have highlighted the urgency of this initiative. In Koraput district, a truck lost control and rammed into roadside shops, killing a woman. The driver was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. Legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been initiated, and the vehicle was seized.

In Khordha’s Haladia area, a driver was seen filming a reel while letting go of the steering wheel in a moving car near a school. The video went viral, prompting authorities to seize the vehicle and suspend the driver’s license and registration certificate.

Similar actions were taken in Bhubaneswar and Puri, where youth were caught performing stunts on bikes and cars for social media fame. Fines, license suspensions, and vehicle seizures were imposed swiftly.

The Transport Department has emphasized that such behaviour endangers not only the drivers but also other road users. Officials are now keeping a close watch on social media to identify and penalize violators.