A Mira-Bhayandar auto-rickshaw driver has had his driving licence suspended for three months after a passenger complained that he was watching a video on his mobile phone while driving, according to a report by Loksatta – Vasai-Virar. Traffic police also imposed a fine on the driver.
The action followed a passenger’s complaint about the driver’s conduct in Mira-Bhayandar city. The report said the driver was operating the rickshaw while watching video content on a mobile phone, diverting attention from the road and creating a risk of an accident.
Mira-Bhayandar has approximately 15,000 auto-rickshaws operating across the city. The municipal administration has established designated rickshaw stands for parking and operations, while traffic police are responsible for taking action against drivers who violate traffic rules, the report said.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the use of mobile phones and audio devices by some auto-rickshaw drivers while driving. According to the report, some drivers have been seen using devices attached to their ears while operating rickshaws. In other cases, drivers have reportedly watched videos directly on their mobile phones during a journey.
The report said that watching videos while driving can distract drivers and increase the possibility of accidents. Passengers had repeatedly sought action against such conduct. However, enforcement was difficult because some drivers allegedly hid their mobile phones after noticing traffic police nearby.
The complaint in this case enabled traffic police to identify the alleged violation and initiate action against the driver. The three-month licence suspension is in addition to the financial penalty imposed by the authorities.
The enforcement action also places responsibility on passengers and traffic authorities in a city where auto-rickshaws form a significant part of everyday mobility. A passenger complaint was central to this case, while the designated rickshaw stands and traffic-policing system provide the existing administrative framework for regulating operations.
The report did not provide details of the driver’s name, the amount of the fine, the exact location of the incident or the specific traffic provisions applied. It also did not state whether the traffic police have announced a wider enforcement drive against mobile-phone use by auto-rickshaw drivers. The three-month suspension and related penalty remain the actions reported in this case.
