Stupid, it’s the phone! In Delhi, the number of tickets for using a phone while driving jumps by 149%

NEW DELHI: When Delhi traffic police compared this year’s numbers with the same time in 2023, they found that the number of prosecutions for driving while using a smartphone increased by 149% in Delhi between January 1 and April 15.

use a phone while operating a vehicle
There were 6,369 prosecutions in 2023. It has risen to 15,846 this year.

In an effort to discourage drivers from being distracted while driving, the Motor Vehicle Act (1988) makes using a mobile device while operating a vehicle illegal in 2019.

According to the change, using a hand-held communication device while driving is illegal under Section 184 of the MV Act since it constitutes reckless driving. When using a mobile device while driving, there is a three-month license suspension and a fine of Rs 5,000.

The data was distributed in circles, and Punjabi Bagh had the highest number of prosecutions this year. Eighty-five challans total. Tilak Nagar (810 challans) and Kalkaji (797 challans) had the next-highest numbers.

Nangloi (772 prosecutions), Karol Bagh (675 prosecutions), Defense Colony (670 prosecutions), and Sangam Vihar (662 prosecutions) are among the other localities with a significant number of registered infractions on this count. There were 556 infractions in Dwarka, 522 in Safdarjung Enclave, and 507 in Najafgarh.

“Using a cell phone while operating a vehicle poses a severe threat to road safety, contributing significantly to distracted driving and increasing the risk of accidents manifold,” said a traffic police officer.

Drivers who use their phones are around four times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who do not, based on traffic police statistics included in the collision report.

When driving and using a phone, response times are slowed, especially when stopping or paying attention to signals. It is also more difficult for a driver to remain in the proper lane and maintain the proper distance from other cars while they are using a phone while driving.

“A major chunk of these violations are caught by personnel on the ground, and on the spot,” said a senior traffic police. The MV Act penalizes offenders with challans.