[K_Drive]

As per latest news published in the regional newspaper, Kerala motor vehicle department has clarified that attending calls using Bluetooth device is not punishable. Law is applicable on usage of handheld devices. This certainly is a relief. Thanks for the clarification MVD.

[thoma]

Originally Posted by K_Drive

Attachment 1911869

As per latest news published in the regional newspaper, Kerala motor vehicle department has clarified that attending calls using Bluetooth device is not punishable. Law is applicable on usage of handheld devices. This certainly is a relief. Thanks for the clarification MVD.

Great. But they should have specified not to use earphones/headphones. These devices make moron drivers oblivious of other sounds.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by K_Drive

As per latest news published in the regional newspaper, Kerala motor vehicle department has clarified that attending calls using Bluetooth device is not punishable..

Not anymore.



https://www.mathrubhumi.com/print-ed...2021-1.5789938

Translation: License will be cancelled if one is found to be using blue tooth while driving, says Kerala Motor Vehicle Dept.

[venkyhere]

what nonsense is this ? is the same dept. (MVD) contradicting itself or is it another dept (traffic police) contradicting MVD ?

what is the final verdict ? can use BT connectivity or not ? how will some official standing outside know whether the driver (if not alone) is speaking to a fellow passenger or speaking via the car's BT during a phone call ?
If indeed BT calling is considered offence, I am planning to talk to myself with open car windows and drive. I want to be caught by a MVD-official/traffic-cop (they have been given fine collection targets to fill up the state coffers which is running dry) who is eager to extract money from a citizen like me. Then I will show the call records on phone and prove I was not on call.

Then will ask "I was talking to myself, I am a mad man. Is talking to oneself also "banned" ? Is wearing shorts/mundu allowed, while driving or should it always be pants ? If pants, is jeans allowed, or should it be cotton/polyester ?"

I will surely do all this, just to see the expression on their face.

[avira_tk]

This is just more high handedness from law enforcement, the law specifically prohibits hand held communication devices, this is for the Union of India, Kerala is a part of it, the MVD has no right to interpret the law here. The law also permits use of navigation while driving. The problem with the press in Kerala is lack of understanding of both, the law and how it is interpreted and enforced.

People are so hooked on to mainstream media narratives that they swallow anything pushed down as long as some official authority is the one mouthing off the insanity. People seem to love the police state, it's so obvious this will be arbitrary harassment, terrible that the bureaucratic power trip was not checked and stopped by the elected representatives.

[wilful]

These guys can't catch the ubiquitous 2 wheeler free spirit chattering away merrily with cellphones tucked into their helmets. Now they want to tilt at the windmills.

[igemini]

Nonsense!

That's my initial feeling about it. However, I have seen a lot more drivers were misusing the Bluetooth headphones while driving and obviously a lot of them were totally distracted. Even today I have seen a few of the drivers using mobile phones (not Bluetooth headphones though) while driving in a dangerous manner. Texting and Driving is another menace.

So I don't think I will totally oppose this rule. But unable to use handsfree using the built-in systems makes no sense at all.
They are going backwards to the pre-2010 era perhaps.

Why no indication about the 2 wheelers? And the way a lot of the 2 wheelers use the mobile phone by tucking the phone/Bluetooth in between the ear and helmets?

Maybe they will ban the usage of Google maps also.

Another way of squeezing extra money from people. As some politicians said recently, people who buy cars are rich so they can afford huge petrol prices and other taxes etc. Seriously?

[venkyhere]

Finally re-clarified by police chief -
https://www.asianetnews.com/kerala-n...driving-qvlzyg

so MVD says BT ok, traffic police says BT use is offence.

Imagine Mohd.Azharuddin saying in post match interview :
...The boys played well...

well, exactly.

[kraken]

Using bluetooth connectivity feature in the car's ICE is least of the problems that law enforcement faces. Cops haven't started to enforce this as of today when I drove back home. Though I agree there is some merit in penalising people distracted in their telephonic conversations, there are many, MANY urgent & existing issues that need their immediate intervention.

On Kerala's roads, private buses, interstate Volvos/Scanias ride around like they are in a video game, the ever so overloaded tippers, trucks (especially that carry wooden logs), the autorickshaws who literally take the phrase YOLO seriously, the young and rich folk with their 350+ cc bikes driving like they've nine lives, KSRTC buses when coming opposite you in YOUR lane will almost make you soil your pants, the scooter riders with their Honda Dios and whatnot swerving right and left and overtake solely through your left, pick up rickshaws hauling stuff that should be hauled by a truck and the list goes on.

Sorry if that sounded like a rant, but once you've driven in the madness that is Kerala's two lane so called highways, it's difficult to maintain sanity. Especially for me who has to navigate through this 4 times a week.

The move also could be seen as a revenue generator for the government which is struggling to keep up with it's expenses. Earlier there was a similar clampdown on sun films, curtains and sun blinds which ended after public backlash as many police officers and ministers still held on to their curtains and sunfilms.