Dear Hyderabad Traffic Police, its Time to Revoke Your “No Headphones” Rule.!!

Traffic Police departments of almost all the metros have been showing off their skills lately on social media with their witty posts creating the much-needed awareness in the public. Hyderabad Traffic dept. (HTP “hereafter”) is no different to that. To be honest, currently, HTP is known for the two way communication which includes complaints, suggestions and sarcastic comments between the public and the department. It is very good to see that HTP has started penalizing the Police personnel after receiving the complaints from the common man on the Social Media. Hands down, they are doing their best to bring the awareness in using helmets and seat belts on a daily basis. One such new rule is, it is offensive to use headphones/earphones while driving. I thought to be a fake news when I first got to know about it, as we are habituated to the daily fake propaganda by our media. To my disbelief, HTP has posted the same from their verified handles on both Twitter and Facebook confirming it.

Let’s split this issue into two parts:

1. The news article and

2. The post by HTP

Here’s the post from the HTP:

1) News Article

The news article clearly says according to section 184 of the Motor Vehicle Act, the offenders will be punished which may go up to 6 months of jail term. I’m sure 90% of the Traffic Police personnel and public are not sure of what “Section 184” actually states. Let’s dive a little deeper into this:

The Section 184 of Motor Vehicle Act states the following:

Whoever, drives a motor vehicle at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to
the public, having regard to all the circumstances of case including the nature, condition and
use of the place where the vehicle is driven and the amount of traffic which actually is at the
time or which might reasonably be expected to be in the place, shall be punishable for the first
offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may
extend to one thousand rupees, and for any second or subsequent offence if committed
within three years of the commission of a previous similar offence with imprisonment for a
term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees,
or with both.

Adding to this section, there is a clause which makes things simpler to understand.

The clause states that:

Clause 65 seeks to amend section 184 of the Act in order to enhance penalties for
driving dangerously. It also seeks to insert an explanation giving examples of acts that are
considered driving in a manner dangerous to the public, such as jumping a red light, violating
a stop sign, use of handheld communication devices while driving, passing or overtaking
any motor vehicle in violation of law, etc.

If you are still scratching your head, I’ll make this understand to you and the team at the Hyderabad Traffic Police.. The Section 184 of Motor Vehicle Act as described by the HTP actually states that – “If you are driving in a manner which is considered as “dangerous to the public” by using either a smartphone, smartwatch, earphones, headphones, (insert all handheld devices)” then the traffic people have all the rights to either charge or throw us (Include me, even I use headphones while driving) behind the bars.

2) The post by HTP

The post and some parts of the news article conclude that – “usage of headphones may divert the concentration of the driver which will eventually lead to an accident”. It sounds perfect but little do they know is that there are many acts which may divert the driver’s concentration.

Some of them are:

1) Continuous Honking:

These people think traffic will be cleared automatically by honking relentlessly. In fact, there is Section 194F, under which offenders can be booked for unnecessary honks. Dear HTP, I would love to know the stats and penalties imposed under this section. 🙂

2) Rash Driving:

These people just fly in the air. They don’t consider whether it is a school or hospital zone, their only aim is to showcase their “so-called-driving” skills.

3) Potholes:

The lesser we talk about this the best it will be for the public, GHMC and the Govt. I’ve already done a social experiment to showcase the problems on Hyderabad Roads with #ADayOnHyderabadPotholes. Although roads have improved quite a lot after my experiment, there are still innumerable Potholes in Hyderabad.

I can write a separate listicle on various reasons that may divert the driver’s attention and concentration like – Traveling on bad roads, encountering unruly traffic police, children begging on the roads, people not giving way for emergency ambulances, beggars sleeping on footpaths, pedestrians running in the middle of Greenlight, traffic light less roads, Heavy vehicles traveling in non-operating hours and roads and the most important ENDLESS and UNCONTROLLABLE TRAFFIC even after having world class development.

Dear HTP, it would only be genuine for you to tackle all the above-mentioned issues before concentrating on petty issues like “no headphone driving.” I sincerely feel that you don’t behave like Supreme Court in future.

If you still feel that headphone driving causes more accidents then please put out the stats on the number of accidents that have happened with the headphones on. We all would love to know the stats, discuss and then ponder on the emerging issue.

PS: There may be many reasons why we use headphones:

1. We may use it to talk to family or friends while we go to save time. (There is nothing dangerous in it, we have been doing it for ages)
2. To listen and drive according to the Google Maps instructions.
3. To eliminate the office and other tensions with our favorite playlists and soothing music.
4. To avoid dreaded honkers.

Dear HTP, its high time you listen to the common man and roll back the unnecessary “headphone rule”. Or let’s take a poll on your so-called popular HTP platforms and then debate about it.

PPS: Most of the headphone users only use one headphone so that they can still be able to listen to the traffic noise which includes Ambulance siren etc.

Conclusion: Dear HTP, driving on Hyderabad roads with the hell lot of traffic gives me some sort of pleasure. At times it gives me perfect time and location to reminisce my past. I feel nostalgic driving alone, don’t take my freedom away with unnecessary rules.

Feedback and suggestions are most welcome. 😀

Special thanks to Yogesh and Bindu for constant support. (This is mandatory now) 🙂