Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 8
The Centre has recently written a letter to the state transport officials of all the states and union territories to enforce in their respective jurisdictions, ban on the use of mobile phones while driving motor vehicles. Communicating this to the public, Nagaland Transport Commissioner T Meren Paul quoted the letter that using mobile phones while driving motor vehicles carry a potential risk for accidents. It also distracts the driver, increasing the probability of accidents.
“Keeping this in view the government has included under Rule 21 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the ‘use of mobile phone while driving motor vehicles’ as an act which shall constitute nuisance or danger to the public,” said the letter. It was signed by SK Dash, Joint Secretary to the Government of India. The letter said the committee on petitions of the Rajya Sabha has taken a very serious view of mobile phone use in motor vehicles increasing and that it is leading to many accidents.
The committee has strongly recommended that the use of mobile phones while driving vehicles should be banned in any form and in any manner.
The letter requested the concerned principal secretaries, secretaries or commissioners of transports to gear up the enforcement machinery in their respective state/UT to implement the provisions of the law in true spirit. This is to eliminate the chances of accidents due to use of mobile phones while driving motor vehicles.
“It may be clarified here that use of mobile phone in any form would include hand held or hands free mobile or operated with the help of blue tooth or permanently installed and integrated into the wiring of motor vehicles. Also, the use of mobile phone in any manner would include making or receiving calls, sending messages, playing games, listening to music and taking photos or making videos,” the letter said.
It also informed that a stationary vehicle in the traffic jam or a traffic signal is a part of driving and in such conditions also the use of mobile phone cannot be allowed. Apart from enforcement of law, the letter said, it is also important to educate the public about the safety hazards posed by such practices on the road.
