Looking at a phone for two seconds at 60 km/h means driving more than 30 metres without seeing the road. Distraction is not only about phones: eating, adjusting the music, reading a map, turning to talk to children or watching something by the roadside all take your eyes, hands or mind off driving. Indian law bans hand-held phones and treats using one while driving as dangerous driving.

India Drive Safe rule:
Never hold or use your phone while driving or riding, not even at a red light or in a jam. Set the route and the music before you move, put the phone where you cannot reach it, and stop in a safe place if you must call or reply.

What the law says

  • Hand-held phones banned: a driver must not use a hand-held mobile phone or any other hand-held communication device while driving. A trainer or supervisor must not use one while supervising a learner (Regulation 37 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017).
  • It counts as dangerous driving: Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 lists "use of handheld communications devices while driving" as dangerous driving, together with jumping a red light and violating a stop sign.
  • Penalty: 6 months to 1 year in prison, a fine of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, or both, for a first offence; up to 2 years in prison, a fine of ₹10,000, or both, for a repeat within 3 years (Section 184).
  • Your licence: the police must seize the licence of a driver they believe has committed dangerous driving and send it for disqualification (Section 206(4)); a first offence can mean three months without a licence (Section 19(1A)).
  • Stay alert: drivers must drive with due care and attention and avoid distraction; route navigation is allowed only if it does not distract you (Regulation 5).

What about hands-free and navigation?

  • Hands-free calls are not specifically banned, but they still take your mind off the road. Keep them short and simple, and end the call if traffic gets busy. Never take a hands-free call that needs you to think hard, argue or take notes;
  • navigation: fix the phone in a holder where you can glance at it without moving your head much, and set the destination before you start. Use voice directions so you do not have to look;
  • never type, scroll, watch videos or take photos while moving; and
  • "I was only at a red light" is no defence: you are still driving, and the light can change while you are looking down.

Riders: phones and earphones

  • never hold a phone between your ear and helmet, or ride with one hand while using a phone (see Rule 15);
  • earphones and headphones cut out horns, sirens and engine noise that warn you of danger. Do not use them while riding; and
  • delivery and taxi riders: accept orders and read the map only when stopped in a safe place.

Other distractions

  • Eating, drinking and smoking: finish before you go, or stop. Drivers must also obey the laws on smoking (Regulation 5);
  • controls: set the AC, mirrors, seat and music before moving. Learn where the controls are so you can work them without looking;
  • passengers and children: if children need attention, stop safely. Ask adult passengers to help with navigation, not to distract you (see Passengers);
  • looking at crashes and roadside events: slow down if needed, but keep your eyes on the road ahead. "Rubbernecking" causes second crashes; and
  • your own mind: anger, worry and tiredness are distractions too. If you are upset or sleepy, do not drive (Rules 14 and 29).

Common mistakes

Checking the phone at a red light
Still driving. Still banned.
Typing the destination while moving
Set it before you start.
Phone tucked in the helmet
Dangerous and illegal. Stop to talk.
Earphones while riding
You cannot hear horns or sirens.
Long or tense hands-free calls
Your mind leaves the road.
Staring at a crash
Eyes ahead; second crashes are common.

Remember

No hand-held phone while driving, ever → it is dangerous driving under Section 184 → set route and music before you move → phone out of reach → riders: no phone in the helmet, no earphones → stop safely to call.