Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has warned auto-rickshaw and cab drivers against using mobile phones while driving, saying activities such as watching videos, scrolling through reels and attending calls can endanger passengers and other road users.
In an appeal to commuters, Sajjanar cited an incident in which an auto driver was allegedly carrying passengers late at night while using two mobile phones placed in front of him. One phone was displaying navigation, while the other was playing videos, according to the report. The driver was also wearing large headphones with illuminated lights, raising further concerns about his attention to the road.
The Commissioner urged passengers to question drivers who use distracting devices and ask them to stop. If a driver ignores the warning or continues to drive dangerously, commuters have been asked to report the matter by calling Dial 112, the emergency response number.
The police advice places passengers at the centre of the reporting process, but also cautions them against escalating the situation inside a moving vehicle. Officials said commuters should avoid physical confrontations with drivers and, where possible, ask the driver to stop at a safe location before raising the issue.
The warning applies to a common urban transport setting in which passengers depend on auto-rickshaws and app-based or other cabs for daily travel. A driver’s attention may be divided not only by calls but also by video content, multiple devices and headphones, all of which can reduce awareness of traffic conditions and passenger safety.
Police have not announced a separate enforcement drive or provided figures on cases involving mobile phone use by commercial drivers in the material available. The immediate instruction to commuters is to report dangerous behaviour through Dial 112 rather than attempt to physically intervene while the vehicle is moving.
The advisory comes as a reminder that navigation-related phone use can also become a distraction when drivers operate more than one device or engage with content unrelated to the journey. Passengers who encounter such conduct are expected to prioritise their safety, seek a safe stop and alert the authorities about immediate risks.
