The latest incident has brought that unresolved tension between enforcement officials and vehicle enthusiasts back into focus. For years, the community has argued that strict regulations fail to recognise the role modified vehicles can play during emergencies. The issue also featured in the UDF's election campaign, with flexibility in laws governing vehicle modifications among its promises. Modified vehicles and disaster reliefThe argument is rooted in Kerala's experience with disasters, particularly the 2018 floods and the Wayanad landslides. The latest suspension has brought that unresolved tension between enforcement officials and vehicle enthusiasts back into focus.