Kakinada, Nov 13th: Talking on mobile phone while driving could soon leave motor vehicle users without a driving license under Road Transport Authority’s (RTA) new rules. Recommendations have recently been made by the ministry of road transport and highways to include strict penal provisions in the new rule for drivers of all type of motor vehicles found using mobile phone while driving. The drivers will be treated as offenders and stringent action would be taken against them including cancellation of driving license for six months besides regular fine. Not only talking but even sending an SMS or reading a message while driving also will be counted as an offence as per the new Motor Vehicle Act. People complain that presently, the Transport authorities issue a license to a person who does not even know how to drive. However, the situation will change once the new rule come into existence as soon as possible.

According to the officials of RTA department of East Godavari region, nearly 10 people are being booked per month for violating the RTA rules by talking on mobile phone while driving. Also, at an of  average 40 deaths per month are being reported from the district, wherein the cell phone driving is playing a major role. Till now, the RTA or the traffic police are simply punishing them by imposing of Rs 500 under Section 184 of MVA and letting them off after collecting the fine. Speaking on this the deputy joint commissioner of the RTA, East Godavari region, Mr. M. Praveen Rao, said that the government’s idea of introducing new Act was correct. However, he did not yet receive any official instructions to implement the new rule in the region.