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No Phone Calls While Driving For Bangalore Bus Drivers — BMTC Officials Pass New Instruction
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) officials instruct their bus drivers to turn off their mobile phones while on duty. The new instruction is in the wake of rising complaints from commuters against bus drivers who make calls while driving.
Rather than making one strict rule against mobile phone usage while driving, BMTC officials chose to conduct an awareness campaign. The campaign is being conducted in major bus terminals across Bangalore.
Senior BMTC driver, V Deenadayalu, plays a major role in the awareness campaign. He makes loudspeaker announcements at various bus stations which convey the message – "Switch off your mobile phone while driving. Careless driving will risk your life". Deenadayalu works for BMTC's Bengaluru Darshini sightseeing service.
Deenadayalu further shared to theEconomic Times that he will be extending the campaign to more bus stations in the city. In his opinion, bus drivers tend to use mobile phones the most during traffic jams and at the red signal.
In addition to this, use of earphones and mobile phones while driving, although being against the law, is fined only by a small amount. If the penalties are made more severe, there could be a drop in mobile phone usage.
The NGO, Save Life Foundation India, conducted a study last year which proved that 83% of those who use mobile phones while driving,make work-related calls. Another significant proportion of road users use social media while driving.
Be it a bus, car or a two-wheeler, it is never wise to use a mobile phone (or any such gadget) while driving. The primary reason for this is obviously the chances of drivers taking their concentration away from driving. This, in turn, would invite risk to both the bus passengers and other road users.
Thoughts On The New Initiative By BMTC
As mentioned before, it is highly advised not to use mobile phones while driving. Most modern cars have Bluetooth connectivity in it; a much convenient and safer way to attend calls while driving. In case your car doesn't have it and you have to make or take an urgent call, simply pull over to the side and do so. However, the last point isn't possible in the case of public transport and it is best to leave the phone offline.