Use of mobile phones while riding on a high
10 May, 2012As per information obtained through an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, an average of 17 two-wheeler riders are caught violating the traffic rule of talking on mobile phones while riding in Mumbai everyday. In absolute terms, the number of cases booked for talking on mobile phones while riding was 6,824 in 2009, which was reduced to 5,929 in 2010 and jumped to 6,465 cases in 2011.
Use of mobile phones while riding can cause distraction resulting in accidents. Maharashtra was amongst the earliest states in India to amend the motor vehicle rules to debar the use of mobile phones while riding or driving. The penalty is merely a financial fine of Rs. 100/- under the Section 250-A of the Maharashtra motor vehicle rules for the use of mobile phones while riding. Activists have called for a revision of the same.
Information revealed under the RTI Act also shows that the number of people caught for not wearing helmets was Rs. 2.71 lakh in 2009, 2.28 lakh in 2010 and Rs. 2.23 lakh in 2011. The fines collected were collectively Rs. 5 crore in the past three years.