Earphone use while driving rises in Nagpur, raising accident risk

Traffic in Nagpur is getting faster, and with it some new habits that invite accidents. Many two-wheeler riders have become aware of the need to wear helmets, but at the same time the practice of driving with Bluetooth earphones or earphones in the ears is also visible. It is being called "musical driving".

The habit is seen among auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers too, which makes road safety a serious concern. People can be seen driving with earphones on at several crowded spots in the city, including the Sitabuldi main road, Law College Square, the road through the university campus and Wardha Road. The habit is more common among young people and college students.

Earphones can make it hard to hear horns, ambulance sirens and the sounds of other vehicles. If attention is diverted by a phone conversation or music, there is a risk of delay in reacting to a situation that arises suddenly.

The police run various drives to enforce traffic rules, and action is taken against riders who do not wear helmets. But curbing driving with earphones is also becoming a major challenge.

As for the rules, under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, using a mobile phone or earphones while driving can attract a fine of up to Rs 5,000. For repeated violations, the court can also cancel the driving licence.

For riding a two-wheeler without a helmet, Sections 129 and 194D of the Motor Vehicles Act make a helmet mandatory for both the rider and the pillion rider. Violating the rule can attract a fine of up to Rs 1,000 and suspension of the driving licence.

However many checks the traffic police carry out or however many fines they impose through e-challans, effective control of the problem will be difficult until drivers' habits change. It is essential to avoid earphones while driving, to stop the vehicle at a safe spot if a call has to be taken, and to give full attention to the traffic. For safe and disciplined traffic, staying away from earphones while driving is as important as wearing a helmet.

As with two-wheeler riders, auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers also show the habit of driving with earphones on. If a driver carrying passengers has his attention on the phone or music rather than the road, the risk of an accident can increase. There is a possibility of attention slipping from signals, pedestrians, vehicles suddenly coming in front and lane changes. Some drivers drive slowly or wrongly, causing jams for vehicles behind. In this way, one driver's personal habit can be paid for by other motorists and passengers.