List fatalities due to phone use: HC to govt

A public interest litigation petition filed by KK Ramesh of Madurai came up for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar. The petitioner sought a direction to impose heavy fine amount of Rs.10,000 to Rs 1 lakh to traffic violators, to confiscate motor vehicles of the third time traffic violators and also to cancel license of motorist using cell phone while driving.

Further, the petitioner also sought the bench to propagandise SC and HC guidelines on television channels, newspapers, advertisements through digital boards at traffic signals and TASMAC bars. 

Taking into considerations a number of accidents and consequent deaths and injuries to human beings while using cell phones, the bench raised queries on how many accidents occurred in Tamil Nadu and in India over the last 10 years because of using cell phones while driving, how many persons died and injured in such accidents. Finally, the bench adjourned the case to February 25.