Life more imp than playlist: KP reminds citizens

Time of India

21-05-2025

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
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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.