Bengaluru sees 38,000 mobile-use violations in 10 months, warns traffic police

Signal-time scrolling, distracted riding, and rising accident risks trigger strong police caution

Bengaluru’s growing dependence on mobile phones has now turned into a serious road safety concern. According to official data from the Traffic Department, more than 38,000 cases of mobile use while riding, driving, or waiting at traffic signals have been booked in just 10 months. Officers say this behaviour is no longer limited to a few motorists, people using their phones at every signal and during movement has become a widespread issue.

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Scenes commonly witnessed at major junctions show the scale of the problem: traffic personnel speaking on their phones, commuters browsing their screens while waiting for green lights, and riders using AirPods to talk on calls even while navigating traffic. Police sources note that even the two minutes at a red signal seem enough for many to unlock their phones and start scrolling.

Officials say this habit is directly contributing to a rise in accidents. They report that distracted riding, especially during slow-moving traffic and signal starts, has become one of the new emerging causes of crashes in the city.

Speaking to News First, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Karthik Reddy made a clear appeal to the public:

“Please do not use mobile phones while riding or driving. Distractions lead to accidents. Stay alert and drive safely.”

Traffic police officers admit that enforcing rules has become harder because violations happen almost instantly and in huge numbers across the city. However, with accident figures linked to distracted driving steadily increasing, officials say stricter action is necessary. This comes even as the department has offered a 50% fine reduction to encourage people to clear pending cases.

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With Bengaluru’s congestion levels already high, police believe even one moment of distraction can lead to major consequences. The department is now intensifying checks and monitoring to curb this growing threat.