Despite the rise in earphone related mishaps, the government has no law
There has been a recent increase in deaths and mishaps dueto the usage of headphones while driving, riding and crossing the road andrailway tracks. Whether one is using headphones to listen to music or talkingon their mobile phones, the rules in Goa are a bit unclear.
The big question is, do laws exist to book anyone who seencrossing the road or driving oblivious to traffic around them while usingheadphones?
“If you are caught using cell phone while driving, undercriminal procedure code 21 (25) r/w section 184 for rash and negligencedriving, we can issue you a challan,” says Superintendent of Police of Traffic,Vishram Borkar.
He mentioned that there is no specific law or section to actagainst anyone using headphones while driving or riding. “I can only appeal tothe people that they should avoid using headphones to listen to music or talkwhile driving for better and safe driving,” Borkar said.
No wonder then that many people are seen crossing the roadswith earphones on and driving and riding with them too. On highways and localroads too, men and women drive cars with the windows up but their earphones on.Often people claim that they use earphones to attend phone calls. It’s herethat Borkar expresses helplessness, stating that to ascertain the differencebetween people listening to music or attending phone calls is not much, but thepolice can book anyone as both the cases amount to dangerous driving.
Director of Transport, Arun Desai said that the same rulesshould be enforced to people who talk while driving or riding while usingearphones. “It is also a distraction while driving or riding,” Desai said.However, he said that the amendment should come from central government, sincepolicy such as this is not within the ambit of the state government.
However, the greatest danger is to the humble pedestrian whowalks the streets plugged in to music or the radio. There are no laws thatgovern this. Neither the Transport Department nor the Goa Traffic Police cancontrol people who walk the streets oblivious of any sounds of an oncoming caror a speeding train, until it’s too late.
