Life more imp than playlist: KP reminds citizens
n A 28-year-old woman, Rina Bauri from Kacharipara off Science City, died after being run over by a govt bus near the Milan Mela stop while trying to cross the road when she had earphones on.
Cops even found evidence of the bus driver applying brakes, indicating the accident could have been averted if the woman had used the underpass or had been able to hear the bus horn as well as pedestrians' shouts.
n Three children were seriously injured near the Scottish Church School playground on Saraswati Puja after a biker — riding a high-end bike in a rash, negligent, and haphazard manner — lost control of his two-wheeler and crashed into them.
He was using headphones and did not listen to warnings from passersby.
Lalbazar has coined the slogan, "Your life is more precious than your playlist" and has begun a campaign across the city — both online and offline — on the use of earphones by pedestrians and motorists that is contributing to accidents. Citing the state transport department notification on Feb 1, 2018, classifying phone use while driving under "dangerous driving" — following a bus accident in Murshidabad that claimed 44 lives when a driver, reportedly on his phone, drove off a bridge — the cops said this distraction can prove costly.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Here's What a New Walk-in Shower Should Cost In 2025
Homebuddy
Learn More
Undo
At least four such accidents have been reported this year, three involving bikers, though no death has been reported so far.
The amended Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, now imposes stricter penalties, with fines ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000, up from the previous Rs 100-Rs 300. Repeat offenders may face licence suspension. However, the notification's silence on Bluetooth devices and earphones has created a legal grey area.
"With Bluetooth devices and earphones, it's challenging to determine if a motorist is on a call or listening to music.
Either way, it's a distraction," said a senior Lalbazar police officer who requested anonymity.
Section 218(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act explicitly prohibits earphone use while driving. Section 218(3) further bans the operation of various audio and video devices, including radio sets, video displays, and sound amplification systems.
Traffic safety
experts argue that any audio distraction, whether through phone calls or music, compromises driving safety.
"The brain focuses more on the audio input and less on driving, increasing accident risks," explained a senior traffic officer.
The ambiguity has left both law enforcement officers and motorists seeking clarity. While the basic prohibition on handheld phone use is clear, the application of the law to hands-free devices remains subject to interpretation. Legal experts suggest that until specific guidelines are issued, motorists should err on the side of caution and avoid using any audio device while driving. The police have indicated that enforcement will consider the broader safety implications rather than focusing solely on the method of communication.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
24 minutes ago
- Hans India
Bike taxi riders detained during protest at Vidhana Soudha
Bengaluru: A group of bike taxi riders protesting outside the Vidhana Soudha here on Saturday against the suspension of its operations following a Karnataka High Court directive, were detained by the police here. They sought urgent government intervention to lift the blanket ban and introduce a regulatory framework to govern bike taxi services. According to the police, soon after they gathered in front of Vidhana Soudha, they were detained and dispersed from the spot by the police. A case has also been registered against them for violating guidelines and attempting to protest in front of Vidhana Soudha without any prior permission. The riders urged the state government to introduce a clear policy that would allow them to resume operations while addressing safety and regulatory concerns. They stressed that bike taxis are an important part of Karnataka's transport ecosystem, providing jobs to thousands. Riders believe that with the right rules in place, bike taxis can continue to benefit everyone. Earlier this month, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court refused to stay an earlier single-judge order that suspended bike taxi services in the state. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, was hearing appeals filed by Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (which operates Ola), and Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (which operates Rapido), among others. The companies had challenged the April 2 ruling that directed them to halt bike taxi services within six weeks. The deadline was later extended till June 15. The single judge had observed that such services cannot operate unless the state government notifies specific rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Hans India
24 minutes ago
- Hans India
Minister writes to CM on apathy over illegal mining cases
Bengaluru/Raichur: Law Minister H K Patil on Saturday said he had written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing concerns over administration apathy towards taking illegal mining cases in the state to a logical end. He also wanted the culprits to be punished, and the lost wealth recovered. The senior minister, who is also in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs, has written a seven-page letter dated June 18, pointing out that only 7.6 per cent of all the cases related to illegal mining that allegedly took place between 2007 and 2011 leading to the loss of an estimated Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the government, have been investigated so far. In the letter he noted that there is outrage among people that the government has not shown honesty and commitment in its efforts towards ensuring commensurate punishments and recovery of the state's wealth, despite such a large-scale loot. He also reminded Siddaramaiah that he had led a 320-km foot march to Ballari against the illegal mining scam in 2010, when the Congress was in opposition. Patil had headed the Cabinet sub-committee, during the first Siddaramaiah-led Congress government (2013-18), which had brought the extent of loss caused by illegal mining. In Raichur, replying to questions by reporters regarding the letter, Patil said, '...I have brought it to the notice of the chief minister what has to be done, thereby it has to serve the state and the government has to get a good name, so the letter has been written. It is not a political letter. It is written in the interest of the state and its people. The CM has seen the letter and has taken the matter seriously.' Asked whether he is suspicious that documents on illegalities may be destroyed, he said with the intention that such things should not happen. He has cautioned the administration and the concerned department. Noting that the Congress party has done a padayatre (foot march) against illegal mining fifteen years ago, the minister said, despite so many years and inspite of cabinet sub-committee under 2013-18 Siddaramaiah-led Congress government submitting a report about the quantum of loss, the action taken is not satisfactory. 'Out of more than 12,000 illegal mining cases being registered, only about 7 per cent have been investigated. In just 2 per cent of these seven per cent, which means in only 0.2 per cent of the total number of cases, verdicts have come and cases have seen a conclusion,' he said. Asserting that a logical end has to be given to all these pending cases, Patil said the government lost Rs 1.5 lakh crore because of illegal mining, and with the intention that serious steps are taken in this regard, he has written a letter to the CM. He said nine cases were handed over for the CBI probe. They said they will probe only three among them and sent back the remaining six. Similarly, the cases that were referred to the Special investigation Team (SIT), most of them have still not been subjected to probe. 'So I have written the letter.' Patil, in his letter, has said that the government can still act as there is still time. Asking the government to take all the necessary measures, he suggested appointing a Recovery Commissioner as per the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1946. He has also sought the creation of a new SIT to take up investigation of cases that have not been probed, and setting up a special court to try these cases.
Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Today in Politics: Home Minister Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh to review anti-Naxal operations
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit a security camp and chair a meeting to review ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh during his two-day trip to the state starting from Sunday, said Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma of the BJP-led state government. Shah will also lay foundation stones for a National Forensic Science University (NFSU) and a state forensic lab in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on Sunday. The state government has allotted 40 acres of land for NFSU, which will be built by the Centre at a cost of around Rs 400 crore. Later in the evening, he will chair a high-level security review meeting with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, where senior state and top security officials will be in attendance. The meeting will focus on the current internal security scenario in the state, with a special emphasis on anti-Naxal operations. The CM described the upcoming visit of Shah as a 'symbol of renewed energy and confidence for Chhattisgarh', underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state to combat extremism and promote inclusive growth. Notably, anti-Naxalite operations have been intensified in Chhattisgarh since the BJP was elected to power in the 2023 Assembly polls and more than 400 Maoist cadres, including senior functionaries, gunned down by security forces in separate encounters since January 2024. Maharashtra's Baramati, the bastion of the Pawar political family, is abuzz about the elections to the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill on Sunday, as reported by Partha Sarathi Biswas. While Ajit has fielded his panel for the 21 posts of the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill, he is himself running for the chairman position. Adding further spice to the contest, after Ajit's entry, Sharad Pawar announced he was putting up own panel too, with the uncle and nephew rivalry now playing out in the mill, located on the family turf of Baramati and long a Pawar fiefdom. Before the NCP split in 2023, Ajit 'managed' the running and politics of almost all cooperative bodies in the region, including the Malegaon mill. In 2019, its outgoing board pledged their support to Ajit in both the general and state Assembly elections; now their loyalties are seen as divided between him and Pawar Senior. The Malegaon mill's functional area is about 37 villages, and the electorate for the June 22 polls are the 20,000 farmer members of the mill, who are also shareholders in the cooperative. Pawar Senior and Ajit are among the members. The mill's VIP status is reinforced by its reputation of compensating its member farmers well. Besides these two panels, the 'Sahakar Bachao Shetkari Panel' led by known Pawar baiter Chandrarao Taware, is in the race, along with a panel of Independents. The Tawares, who have for long been the only ones standing between the Pawars and their total dominance of Baramati, joined the BJP in 2019. Elections will be held on Sunday for more than 3,894 gram panchayats across Gujarat to elect sarpanchs and panchayat members in the first such exercise after the state government announced 27% OBC reservation in local body polls in 2023. Earlier, OBC reservation in local bodies was capped at 10%. Of 8,326 gram panchayats for which elections were declared on May 25, general and mid-term polls will be held for 3,541 gram panchayats. More than a thousand gram panchayats have been declared uncontested or vacant with no candidate filing their nomination, the State Election Commission (SEC) said. The SEC said gram panchayat elections in six talukas under Kadi and Visavadar Assembly seats have been cancelled due to by-elections held there on Thursday. Elections to the lowest level of local government administration are usually not contested on a party basis. Candidates do not fight on party tickets, though they may be affiliated with political parties. – With PTI inputs
