Authorities Acknowledge Safety Concerns With Drivers Using Earphones and Headphones: Police to Start Taking Action
Mumbai’s traffic police are gearing up to take strict action against drivers caught using headphones while behind the wheel. The move comes after a surge in cases where motorists were found watching movies, scrolling through reels, catching cricket matches, or talking on the phone with earphones on—leading to an alarming rise in road accidents.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has called for a crucial meeting on Monday (April 28) to finalize penalties for offenders. Once approved, the existing WhatsApp complaint number—currently limited to the Andheri Regional Transport Office (RTO)—will be expanded across the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Citizens can report violators by sending photos or videos as evidence.
A Wake-Up Call After Viral Incident
The decision gained urgency after a shocking incident on March 22, when a Shivneri ST bus driver on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was caught watching a cricket match while driving. A passenger recorded the reckless act and forwarded the video to Sarnaik, prompting immediate action—the driver was suspended, and the private contractor operating the bus was fined ₹5,000.
Despite orders issued a month ago to draft strict rules, no concrete steps have been taken yet. Sarnaik has now warned that he will demand answers from officials during the upcoming ST Corporation meeting.
Public Participation Encouraged
Authorities are urging commuters to report offenders by sending visual proof to the RTO. Sarnaik stressed that such negligence puts lives at risk and will not be tolerated. With stricter enforcement on the horizon, Mumbai’s roads may soon become safer—but only if both authorities and citizens act responsibly.
