The Bengaluru Visitors Police officers say that they’re conducting particular drives to penalise drivers who watch movies on their cellphones whereas driving.
| Picture Credit score: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
Commuters in Bengaluru are elevating concern over the growing cases of autorickshaw and cab drivers utilizing their cellphones to observe movies, motion pictures, and even reels whereas ferrying passengers. Such a dangerous approach of driving has triggered widespread concern over the protection of commuters and different motorists sharing the highway.
Passengers stated that many drivers have been seen working their automobiles and utilizing their cellphones concurrently, with their focus getting distracted between the highway and the display. In a number of cases, drivers are discovered enjoying YouTube movies or reels, whereas a small portion of the display shows Google Maps for navigation, they stated.
“When passengers query them, they shortly change to maps and declare they’re utilizing it just for instructions,” stated Jairaj M., an everyday commuter from Peenya. “I’ve had a number of experiences the place drivers have been watching movies whereas driving. Some have been scrolling by means of reels or YouTube. Once I instructed them it was unsafe, they opened maps and stated they have been utilizing it for navigation. It feels very unsafe sitting behind somebody who’s barely trying on the highway,” he added.
The priority shouldn’t be restricted to auto and cab passengers. Even these utilizing bike taxis have raised alarms. Shailesh Kumar, a frequent bike taxi person from Whitefield, recalled a current incident: “A number of days in the past, my bike taxi rider was watching YouTube whereas using. He saved making use of sudden brakes and even shouted at different bikers. It was terrifying. This can be a very harmful pattern. The police should ebook strict instances in opposition to such folks. They’re placing not solely their passengers’ lives in danger, but in addition of others on the highway. Authorities ought to management this earlier than it turns into worse.”
Rajesh Ok., who travels every day from Koramangala to Outer Ring Highway, added: the pattern appears to be spreading quick. “Drivers now open multi-window screens half video, half map. My cab drivers wouldn’t even pay attention once I requested him to cease. I complained to the aggregator, however nothing occurred. Earlier, this was seen extra amongst auto drivers, however now even cab drivers are doing it. I see on a regular basis autos, cabs, and even a number of non taxi automotive drivers utilizing telephones whereas driving. Listening to music or podcasts is ok, however actively watching movies whereas driving? That’s an open invitation for catastrophe. That is changing into an epidemic.”
Acknowledging the rising downside, Bengaluru Visitors Police officers stated that they’re conducting particular drives to penalise offenders. “Earlier, drivers used telephones for calls or navigation. However now, we discover many individuals watching motion pictures or dwell streams even whereas driving passengers. That is extraordinarily harmful. We’ve got been reserving instances by means of particular enforcement drives and penalising them,” an official stated.
In line with police knowledge, 34,303 instances have been registered between January and September 2025 in opposition to motorists for utilizing cellphones whereas driving.
Drivers’ union urges restraint
The Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU) has acknowledged the issue, however urged the general public to not generalise. T.M. Rudramurthy, basic secretary of the ARDU in Bengaluru, stated, “We’re conscious that a number of drivers are misusing cellphones whereas on responsibility, however it’s unsuitable to label all drivers as irresponsible. Many people depend on apps for bookings and maps for navigation. Nonetheless, we’re creating consciousness in our teams concerning the dangers of distracted driving. We continuously advise members to not use telephones for leisure when passengers are on board.”
Not one of the aggregators responded to mails in search of a response.
Stronger enforcement wanted
Transport skilled M.N. Srihari stated that regardless of present penalties, weak enforcement has allowed the pattern to develop. “Watching movies whereas driving isn’t just irresponsible, it’s a type of deliberate negligence that endangers lives. The authorities should deal with this as significantly as drunken driving,” he stated.
He really helpful that the police conduct random checks on autos and cabs to confirm cellphone utilization patterns. “Officers can simply examine the at the moment working apps or current name logs to find out whether or not a driver is utilizing navigation or leisure apps. As soon as caught, licences ought to be suspended instantly,” he stated.
Mr. Srihari additional stated that individuals should report such incidents by means of social media platforms or on to the site visitors police. “Bengaluru has a responsive digital criticism system passengers ought to use it to flag such violations. The extra complaints authorities obtain, the stronger the enforcement will grow to be,” he added.
Cell phone distractions amongst drivers
Passenger complaints
Auto and cab drivers in Bengaluru are more and more watching movies whereas driving
Drivers watch YouTube, reels, and films throughout journeys.
Some use break up screens- Google Maps in a nook, movies enjoying alongside.
Many drivers dismiss issues by claiming they’re “solely utilizing maps.”
34,303 instances booked (January–September 2025) for cell phone use whereas driving.
Revealed – November 07, 2025 01:06 am IST
