457 lose licences for talking on cellphone while driving

PANAJI: The use of mobile phones while driving continues to be one of the topmost violations reported in the state. A total of 457 people lost their licences to a 90-day suspension in the recent quarter of 2018. The action report shared by the transport department revealed that a total of 1,592 licences were suspended from July to September for various violations like speeding, and drunk driving, of which 30% were suspended for use of mobile phones while driving, alone.

“Unless everyone gets a pinch of the punishment it is difficult to improve. On an average, there are almost 200 cases per month that are sent to the licensing authorities for this violation,” a transport department official told TOI.

Figures further reveal that there were 2,172 violations reported for the use of mobile phones while driving from July to September.TOI had earlier reported that the state has recorded the use of phones as the second highest offence, after that of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the first half of this year.

This violation initially attracted a fine of Rs 600. Drivers’ licenses were only suspended if the violator is a repeat offender. Now they are being sent directly for suspension even for a first-time offence, officials said.