Owning a two-seater sports car attracts attention, especially when it breaks down, like the recent incident involving a BMW Z4 in Bengaluru. The car was fined by the city’s traffic police for causing an obstruction on a busy road—it had run out of fuel.

Traffic authorities posted the incident on X (Twitter)  report the incident, stating, “Out of fuel…. booked for deliberate traffic obstruction.” The breakdown occurred at Hebbal, a critical junction leading to the international airport.

Under IPC Section 283, fines can be issued for obstructing traffic, particularly in high-traffic areas. While not frequently enforced, authorities can resort to legal action if deemed necessary. It is the responsibility of drivers to ensure their vehicles are adequately fueled when traveling through congested zones, as negligence can lead to penalties.

Although breakdowns can happen unexpectedly, ensuring sufficient fuel is crucial. It’s also wise for drivers to carry essential tools like a spare tyre and know basic maintenance skills, such as changing a flat tyre.

For the BMW Z4 driver, it turned out to be an unfortunate day.