Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has directed traffic police to trace an auto-rickshaw driver allegedly seen driving with headphones and take legal action, warning that diverted attention on the road can lead to serious accidents.
The commissioner’s direction followed a video sent by a netizen to the police. According to the report, the video showed an auto-rickshaw driver operating the vehicle while wearing headphones. Sajjanar said traffic police should identify the driver and proceed against him under the applicable law.
Sajjanar described watching a movie while driving with headphones as more than negligence, saying it creates a serious road-safety risk. He warned that even a momentary loss of attention can have consequences on a busy road, where drivers must respond to surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, signals and changing traffic conditions.
The commissioner said the use of mobile phones, headphones and earbuds while driving is dangerous across vehicle categories. His warning covered two-wheelers, cars, auto-rickshaws, buses and lorries, making clear that the concern is not limited to commercial passenger vehicles.
According to the report, Sajjanar said the conduct falls under dangerous driving provisions of motor-vehicle law. He stated that the offence could attract a heavy fine and the possible cancellation of the driver’s licence. The specific action in this case will depend on the traffic police tracing the driver and establishing the circumstances shown in the video.
The intervention also places attention on the role of passengers and other road users in reporting unsafe driving. Sajjanar urged commuters not to remain silent if a driver is using a phone or wearing headphones or earbuds while driving. He asked them to question the behaviour and, if the driver does not respond, contact the emergency number 112 and inform the police.
For passengers in auto-rickshaws and other public vehicles, the warning highlights a safety issue that is often difficult to address once a journey has begun. A passenger may notice a driver watching or listening to content through a device but may be reluctant to challenge the behaviour, particularly in moving traffic. The commissioner said such inaction can endanger the passenger and others using the road.
Sajjanar said alertness among passengers and other road users could help protect multiple lives. His comments came alongside the instruction to traffic police to trace the auto-rickshaw driver and take stringent legal action as permitted by law.
The next step is for the traffic police to identify the driver shown in the video and determine the applicable offence and penalty.
