Bengaluru’s auto, cab drivers’ screen addiction raise alarm over road safety

Commuters in Bengaluru are expressing concern over the increasing number of autorickshaw and taxi drivers using mobile phones to watch videos, movies and even reels while transporting passengers. Such a risky way of driving has triggered widespread concerns about the safety of commuters and other drivers sharing the road. Passengers said they noticed that many drivers were using both their vehicles and their mobile phones at the same time, and their concentration was dispersed between the road and the screen. In some cases, while drivers are playing YouTube videos or reels, a small portion of the screen displays Google Maps for navigation. “When passengers question them, they immediately switch to maps and claim that they only use it for directions,” said Jairaj M., a regular commuter from Peenya. “I’ve had many experiences where drivers watch videos while driving. Some would scroll through reels or YouTube. When I told them it wasn’t safe, they pulled up maps and said they were using it for navigation. It feels very unsafe to sit behind someone who can barely look at the road,” he added. The concern is not limited to car and taxi passengers. Even those who use bicycle taxis were alarmed. Shailesh Kumar, a frequent cycle taxi driver from Whitefield, recalled a recent incident: “A few days ago, my cycle taxi driver was watching YouTube while cycling. He was constantly braking suddenly and even shouting at other cyclists. This was terrible. This is a very dangerous trend. Police should register strict cases against such people. They are not only risking the lives of their passengers but also other people on the road. Authorities should check this before the situation worsens.”

Rajesh K., who travels from Koramangala to Outer Ring Road daily, added: The trend seems to be spreading rapidly. “Drivers now open multi-window screens that are half video, half map. My taxi drivers don’t even listen when I ask him to stop. I complained to the collector but nothing happened. Earlier this was more common among auto drivers, but now even taxi drivers are doing it. I see daily drivers of cars, taxis and even a few non-cab drivers using phones while driving. Listening to music or podcasts is fine, but actively watching videos while driving? This is a clear invitation for disaster. This is a clear invitation for disaster.” “This is an open invitation to disaster. This is becoming an open invitation to disaster.”

Acknowledging the growing problem, Bengaluru Traffic Police officials said they are carrying out special efforts to punish the offenders. “Earlier, drivers used phones for calling or navigation. But now we see many people watching movies or live broadcasts even while driving passengers. This is extremely dangerous. We register cases through special inspection teams and penalize them,” said an official.

According to police data, 34,303 cases were registered against drivers who used mobile phones while driving between January and September 2025.

Drivers’ union calls for moderation

The Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU) acknowledged the problem but urged the public not to generalise. TM Rudramurthy, general secretary of ARDU in Bengaluru, said: “We are aware that a few drivers misuse mobile phones while on duty, but it is wrong to label all drivers as irresponsible. Many of us rely on apps for bookings and maps for navigation. Yet we raise awareness in our groups about the risks of distraction. We consistently advise members not to use phones for entertainment while passengers are on board.”

None of the collectors responded to emails seeking responses.

Stronger enforcement is needed

Transport expert MN Srihari said despite existing penalties, weak enforcement has allowed this trend to escalate. “Watching videos while driving is not only irresponsible, but also a form of willful negligence that endangers lives. Authorities should take this as seriously as drunk driving,” he said. He recommended that police conduct random checks on cars and taxis to verify phone usage patterns. “Officers can easily review currently running apps or recent call records to determine whether a driver is using navigation or entertainment apps. Once caught, licenses should be suspended immediately,” he said. Mr. Srihari also said that people should report such incidents through social media platforms or directly to the traffic police. “Bengaluru has a responsive digital complaint system that passengers should use to flag such violations. The more complaints the authorities receive, the stronger the enforcement will become,” he added.