Hyderabad motorists utilizing telephones whereas driving to face 1,000 high-quality in particular enforcement drive

People watching movies, speaking on cellphone for lengthy, texting or endlessly scrolling via social media feed whereas driving has develop into a typical sight on Hyderabad’s roads. Whether on nationwide highways, flyovers or congested metropolis streets, two-wheeler riders, automobile drivers and auto-rickshaw operators alike may be seen glued to their telephones, balancing gadgets on handlebars or dashboards, swiping via apps and even participating in video calls, all whereas steering via heavy visitors.

On Tuesday, Hyderabad Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar drew a crimson line by posting on social media. “Many individuals, together with auto-rickshaw and cab/bike taxi drivers, are sometimes seen watching movies or utilizing earphones whereas driving. This is harmful and a punishable offence. Hyderabad Traffic Police will take strict motion towards such violators. Safety of self, passengers and fellow highway customers is paramount. No distraction is price a life; keep centered, keep secure,” he wrote on ‘X’.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr.Sajjanar stated the crackdown is a response to rising complaints from residents about drivers, significantly auto-rickshaw and bike/cab/ taxi driver, watching movies or utilizing earphones whereas working autos.

This informal negligence comes at a excessive price. Hyderabad recorded seven accidents in 2024 linked to cell phone use whereas driving, whereas three such circumstances have already been reported in 2025, together with one deadly accident that claimed the lifetime of a pedestrian, based on data shared by the town’s visitors police division.

In 2025 alone, Hyderabad visitors police have issued 77,791 challans for cell phone use whereas driving, imposing over ₹7.72 crore in fines. Despite these efforts, violations proceed unabated. To curb the menace, visitors police are set to launch a particular enforcement drive within the subsequent week, below which violators will likely be fined ₹1,000.

According to the 2023 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), harmful driving, together with use of handheld system as per the Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, was the second main reason for deadly highway accidents at 23.6% (41,035 deaths out of 1,73,826), trailing solely overspeeding, which accounted for 58.6% of highway fatalities.