Visakhapatnam: Deadly distraction! Mobile phone use fuels road accidents, claims lives

• Smartphone use while driving is a major cause of fatal accidents in Visakhapatnam, turning roads into death traps.
• Recent incidents in PM Palem, Old Gajuwaka, and Telugu Talli Flyover highlight the deadly consequences of distracted driving.
• Traffic police data shows 15-18% of city accidents are due to mobile phone driving; 9,815 cases registered in 2025 alone.
• Dangerous practices include holding the phone with one hand, tucking it between shoulder/ear, or using earphones while driving.
• Penalties range from Rs. 1,500 for the first offense to Rs. 10,000 and license seizure for repeated violations.