Drunk & Distracted DrivingMV Act 2019, Section 184 – mobile use while driving fine ₹5,000 first offence, ₹10,000 repeat

Phone Down, Eyes Up

Rule: Using a mobile phone while driving attracts ₹5,000 fine; hands-free is also a distraction

FC Road, Pune, 6 PM

Priya reads a WhatsApp message while riding — 'Bas ek second ka kaam hai.' She drifts into a pothole and wobbles into a pedestrian's path.

→ Pedestrian jumps aside. Priya drops phone. Cop on foot issues ₹5,000 challan and recommends a safety course.

✓ Lesson: Reading a message takes 5 seconds; at 30 km/h that's 42 metres — the length of 14 cars — driven with eyes off the road.

Same road, a week later

Phone rings. Priya pulls to the side, parks, responds, then re-enters traffic.

→ Takes 90 extra seconds. Friend is impressed by the discipline.

✓ Lesson: Pull over, park, respond. It is always worth the stop.

College canteen discussion

Priya shares the ₹5,000 challan story. Three friends admit they reply to messages at red lights.

→ Group agrees: phones go into bags while riding.

✓ Lesson: Red lights are not 'safe' to text at — the distraction persists after the light turns green.

Test yourself with scenario-based questions from real Indian roads.

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