The transport department has once again begun cracking down on motorists who are on the mobile phone while driving.
It has sent show cause notices to around 50 motorists in the city who were caught talking on the phone. A total of 143 notices have been sent to motorists across the State. “A majority of them are two-wheeler riders. Most of them keep the phone inside the helmet or use hands-free equipment,” said a senior transport department official.
He said that Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials will be strengthening enforcement in the coming days. “We have created enough awareness about the dangers of speaking on the mobile phone while driving. From last week, we started cracking down,” said the official.
The RTOs have been asked to click pictures of those who speak on the phone while driving. “We will first send them a show-cause notice and then, suspend their licence. They endanger not only their lives but also those of others. ” said the official.
In January, the transport department decided to strictly enforce the Central Motor Vehicles Rule 21 (25) which states that ‘using mobile phone while driving a vehicle shall constitute nuisance or danger to the public.’ “Since listening to music while driving is a form of diversion, motorists are advised not to do so,” said the official.
Meanwhile, there are complaints about many call taxi drivers speaking on the mobile phone while driving. “Recently, I spotted one driver speaking on the phone on New Avadi Road. Many long-distance bus drivers also use mobile phones while driving,” said S. Vineetha, a resident of Aynavaram.
Call taxi operators said that they fine drivers who speak on the mobile phones while driving.
“Consumers can call the respective call centre and lodge a complaint. They can also provide information about drivers not wearing seat-belts,” said an operator.
Meanwhile, the transport department said that members of the public can call 044-26744445 and 24749001 if they spot anyone speaking on the phone while driving.
