A video from Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district has been widely shared in a viral video that has drawn criticism after a convoy of black sport utility vehicles (SUVs) was seen parked on a stretch of National Highway-74 (NH-74) to record a social media reel.
The video shows several black SUVs in formation and at times occupying large parts of the highway while filming in a cinematic style. The exact details of the incident are not being verified, but those images have stirred up some citizens who believe that public roads are being used to make entertainment without permission.
National highways are designed to smooth traffic flows and carry thousands of commuters, commercial vehicles, and emergency services. Any activity that disrupts traffic flow and reduces road safety can potentially be very dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.
The viral video has therefore led to a re-thinking of the responsibility of content creators and owners of vehicles on public roads to be responsible for their own use of public infrastructure.
Many social media users criticized the alleged actions in the video, arguing that public roads should never be treated as private filming locations. Several users also asked authorities to identify those involved and examine whether any provisions of traffic laws or public safety regulations were violated. Such videos, in others' words, could lead to copycat behaviour among young content creators seeking online attention through increasingly dramatic or risky stunts.
Even seemingly controlled vehicle formations or slow-moving convoys can create a hazard to traffic or other people driving with them, even if they are not in a car. Road safety experts say sudden lane shifts, unexpected braking, or cars in more than one lane may lead to accidents, especially on highways where traffic moves faster than usual.
Police and transport authorities in India have increasingly come up with fines for people who violate traffic laws while making videos and performing stunts on the road. In recent years, drivers have faced fines, vehicle seizures, and legal action taken because dangerous driving videos have been shared on the Internet. Social media popularity, public officials have told us, does not justify public safety hazards.
Short video platforms are growing in popularity, and we have seen people use highways, bridges, railway stations, and other public spaces as the backdrops in videos and promotional content. Creative expression is still a part of digital media, but traffic management authorities have stressed that these activities must always be in line with traffic laws and not cause inconvenience for the general public.
Experts believe that we need to create better public awareness on responsible content creation. They emphasize that creators need to obtain permission from the authorities if necessary; don’t block roads; and put safety first over visual effect. Professional film productions have strict safety protocols and official permissions, while filming on the road is a dangerous activity and is risky to both the actors and people on the road.
The viral video has also raised much wider discussions about the enforcement of traffic laws and surveillance. More recent technology, including CCTV cameras, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, and dashboard camera footage, have significantly helped the authorities investigate traffic violations recorded on video. If any violations are identified after verification, officials may take action under the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and other relevant laws.
Residents and regular commuters have also expressed concern about increasing instances of social media content being created on public roads. They say highways are important transport corridors where safety should always take precedence over entertainment. Many have called for tighter monitoring and stronger penalties against activities that interfere with normal traffic movement or endanger lives.
उत्तराखंड के उधम सिंह नगर जिले के काशीपुर में राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग (NH-74) पर काली स्कॉर्पियो और थार गाड़ियों का काफिला पूरे हाईवे पर दबदबा बनाते हुए चलता दिखाई दे रहा है।
— bhUpi Panwar (@askbhupi) July 9, 2026
आरोप है कि काफिले में शामिल युवकों ने कई लेन घेर लीं, जिससे अन्य वाहनों को आगे निकलने का मौका नहीं मिला।… pic.twitter.com/1EAllOCpOA
As the video continues to spread online, authorities are expected to verify if it’s real and whether the traffic or public safety rules were broken. Public officials say the public shouldn’t draw conclusions from social media posts until everything is verified.
The incident is a reminder that social media gives people the opportunity to express themselves and to be creative but never at the expense of public safety. Responsible behaviour on the road, adherence to traffic laws, and respect for shared public infrastructure are essential to avoid accidents and ensure that highways continue to serve their primary purpose safe and efficient transportation for everyone.
