There is no denying the fact that the number of accidents taking place in India can be reduced to a great extent if drivers follow the traffic rules. One traffic rule violation that mostly takes place is drivers talking on phone while driving.
However, now the bus drivers of Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation will need to be careful and alert as the UP government has asked passengers to click the drivers who are seen talking on phone and send the image to them through WhatsApp. The concerned driver will be fined while the passenger who has clicked the image will get cash reward.
Image For Representational Purpose Only
The Transport Minister of UP, Swatantra Dev Singh, told PTI,
“Though there are rules and regulations to prevent use of mobile phones while driving, complaints from passengers keep pouring in. We are now taking help of passengers and have asked them to click photographs of drivers flouting rules and send it to us through WhatsApp. After the photographs are received, the driver concerned will be fined and the passengers will get the cash reward.”
When he was asked to reveal the number of drivers fined and passengers rewarded, he said, “It is a new idea. We can give the data at a later stage.”
He further added,
“First the passengers are feeling empowered to report the misuse of mobile phone while driving, and secondly it is helping in instilling a sense of responsibility among drivers, who know that if they use mobile phone, they will be clicked.”
We appreciate this step taken by the UP government and hope that it will reduce the number of accidents taking place in UP.