When it comes to use of mobile phone while driving a vehicle in Chandigarh, car drivers top the list for being challaned for violating the law. According to the figures of Chandigarh Traffic Police, in the year 2014, as many as 3,899 car drivers were issued challan for using mobile while driving in city, whereas 927 two wheeler riders, 21 bus drivers and 15 truck drivers were challaned for the same offence.
In 2013, 4523 car drivers were issued challan for using mobile while driving, while 1355 two wheeler riders, 28 bus drivers and 19 truck drivers were challaned for the same. Traffic police officials say that the use of mobile phone reduces concentration and leads to accidents. A senior police official said that in the wake of increasing accidents in the city beautiful, the UT police have carried out a special drive in which focus has been set on drivers using mobile phones while driving. Pawan Kumar, DSP Traffic said, “Using mobile phone while driving is most dangerous and a major cause for accidents.”
As soon as a driver of a vehicle starts using mobile phone while driving, he loses concentration and since there is not much gap between two vehicles running on road, the chances of accidents are very high. The traffic police team makes sure that any driver found using mobile while driving is issued a challan for the same, so that he does not repeat the act again, added the DSP. “The fine for using mobile phone while driving may also increase very soon, as it is the major cause of accident on road,” said the official. At present, the fine is Rs1000 for the offence.