Can you keep a mobile phone in your hand while driving a car? Know the new rule

New traffic rules: It has been five years since the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 came into effect, but till now the drivers are not properly aware of the traffic rules. On September 1, 2019, the new Motor Vehicles Act came into force across the country. Since the implementation of this Act, there has been a significant increase in traffic challans in many states of the country including Delhi. Every day, drivers have to pay challans worth thousands of rupees. Especially if you have a mobile phone in your hand while driving and whether you are talking or not, still challans are being issued. In such cases, the traffic police issues challan of Rs 5000 to Rs 10000 and also suspends the driving license for 90 days.

Last Saturday itself, Sandeep Sharma, working in Noida, was coming to Ghaziabad from Delhi. Delhi Traffic Police stopped Sandeep Sharma’s car near Akshardham Temple. After stopping the car, the traffic police demanded the driving license from Sharma. On this Sharma asked the traffic policeman why have you stopped him? The traffic police jawan said that you were holding a mobile phone in your hand while driving. Therefore, we are issuing a challan of Rs 5000 and suspending your driving license for 90 days. Both hands should be kept free while driving.

There is a provision in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019 that the phone cannot be used at all while driving.

Will challan be deducted for keeping mobile in hand?
In such a situation, the question arises that can’t you hold the phone in your hand even to see the navigation? If someone is calling repeatedly and you do not want to talk and then you pick up the phone and disconnect, does this also come under the purview of the challan? Let us tell you that there is a provision in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019 that the phone cannot be used at all while driving. But, can you drive while holding it in your hand? No clear guidelines have been given in this Act regarding this. Despite this, challans are being issued.

However, there is a provision in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019 that both your hands should be free while driving. Leave aside mobile, you should not have any kind of item like food items, paper, pen or any other item in your hand. If the traffic police notices it, your challan will be issued. However, no clear information regarding Bluetooth headphones is given in the Motor Vehicle Act of most states.

Section 67 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 has been amended.

What are the provisions in the Motor Vehicles Act
Under Section 184 (C) of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, no person can use a mobile phone in his hand while driving or riding a motor vehicle. Section 67 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 has been amended. In this, hands will have to be kept clean while driving. For this, you can neither eat nor keep anything while driving. Yes, you can use your mobile phone to view navigation.

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However, this exemption is dependent on the kindness of the traffic police. Let us tell you that for keeping a mobile phone in hand, there is a provision to impose a fine of Rs 1500 for two and three wheelers and Rs 5,000 for cars or other vehicles. If the same mistake is repeated for the second time then Rs 10,000 and your DL can also be suspended.

Tag: Motor Vehicles Act, traffic fine, Traffic police, traffic rules