Listening To Music While Riding Can Cost You Your License!

 

In a major development, The City Traffic Police have declared the use of headphones while riding an offence that is punishable with a fine and suspension of driving license. 

Pune 365 spoke to the Deputy Commissioner of Police-Traffic, Ashok Morale and several concerned citizens to get their views on this recent announcement.

Speaking to Pune365, Ashok Morale ( DCP- Traffic) said, “We have tried building awareness among the people to stop using headphones, yet, we still find citizens riding with these. Hence, we are now constrained to crack down on the violators.

Two-wheeler riders seen with headphones, will be booked and the rider’s license of will be suspended for a minimum period of three months.

When quipped about drivers listening to music in the car, Morale clarified that fines will be imposed only if they are seen wearing headphones.

Pradeep Shetty, an active citizen remarked, “Earlier there was no law which stated that using headphones is prohibited by law, but now as Pune traffic division has declared this as an offence, Citizens will now avoid the use of headphones while on two-wheelers.”

The Pune police believe that listening to music is distracting, but by that logic, people in cars also listen to music and speak on their phones connected to the music systems. The law should be uniform and also offer clarity on this matters, adds Shetty.

Sapna Mundhe, a teacher says, “The law may lead to change, but how are the officials going to ascertain if people are wearing them. For instance, Pune girls wear a scarf while riding and the ears are covered.

The police should focus on having stricter laws for people without helmets, I think, not using a hemet is far more dangerous than listening to music.

Also, they will need additional manpower to implement this before imposing the law, Mundhe adds.

Shekhar Sutar, Techie, “This decision is a welcome move from Pune traffic Police, Use of headphones should be illegal.

One must be aware of their surroundings while driving, you’re not only responsible for your safety but also of pedestrians and other drivers. Focus and attentiveness are the characteristics of a good rider in order to drive safe and sensibly..

Why only people seen with headphones, The DCP has clearly said that listening Music causes distraction, so is it only two-wheelers who get distracted? quips Disha, a student.

People in cars play such a loud music that often it scares others riding alongside. If they want to impose such laws they should be made uniform for everyone.

Moreove traffic police has been imposing fines on different things and the implementation is barely for a month,

They did it for helmets too, it was an offence they chased for a month. People still ride fearlessly without using helmets, Disha adds.

The indiscipline on the roads in Pune is out of hand already, and effective measure is the need of an hour, says Rudra Reddy, a sports enthusiasts.

The real issue here is the effective implementation by the traffic police. Can they bring discipline to the roads of Pune?

People are indifferent and the police also are negligent often. Lets us hope for better management by the DCP and his team. This is certainly needed in Pune.

I often use a Bluetooth device while riding my bike and the police they have declared the use of headphone being an offence.

Does that means using Bluetooth headsets are fine, asks Karan Thakkar, Entrepreneur.

The law clearly states that it is an offence for people with headphones will be fined, Punekars will quit using headphones, and start using Bluetooth headsets. And most importantly people in cars also use such devices, then why fine or suspend licenses of those on on two-wheeler only, Thakkar adds.

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