Fact Check: Penalty for driving with headphones/earphones in AP not increased to Rs 20,000
A message claiming that the Andhra Pradesh government is going to impose a penalty of Rs 20,000 if bike riders are caught driving with headphones on, is going viral on all social media platforms, including WhatsApp.
A penalty of Rs 1,500- Rs 2,000 will be imposed if a motorist is caught driving wearing headphones in Andhra Pradesh, not Rs 20,000.
A message claiming that the Andhra Pradesh government is going to impose a penalty of Rs 20,000 if bike riders are caught driving with headphones on, is going viral on all social media platforms, including WhatsApp.
The claim in Telugu goes as “*ఫ్లాష్ ఫ్లాష్ ఫ్లాష్ ఫ్లాష్* *డ్రైవింగ్ చేస్తూ ఇయర్ ఫోన్స్, హెడ్సెట్ పెట్టుకుంటే 20,000 జరిమానా. ఆం
ఆగస్టు నెల నుంచి ప్రారంభం కానున్న జరిమానా. ఇకపై బైక్ మీద కానీ కారులో కానీ ఆటోలో కానీ ఇయర్ ఫోన్స్ హెడ్సెట్ పెట్టుకుంటే *20,000* జరిమానా వేయనుంది. దీనికి సంబంధించిన వివరాలు మొత్తం రవాణా శాఖకు జారీ చేసినట్లు వర్గాలు వెల్లడించాయి”
When translated, it claims: “*flash flash flash flash* *20,000 fine for wearing earphones and headset while driving. A sensational decision of the Andhra Pradesh govt. From August, if you wear earphones/headset on a bike or in a car, or in an auto, you will be fined *20,000*. Sources revealed that all the details related to this have been issued to the transport department.”
Fact Check:
The claim is false. The fine imposed by the Andhra Pradesh transport department for driving with earphones on is Rs 2000.
When we searched using the keywords, we found several articles which published the clarification by the AP Transport Commissioner.
According to an article published in ap7am.com, the news that a fine of Rs 20,000 will be imposed on motorists driving with headphones or earphones on in Andhra Pradesh has spread like wildfire on social media but the AP transport department commissioner has issued a clarification and rubbished the news as false propaganda.
According to the Motor Vehicle Act, a fine of Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 will be imposed if caught driving while wearing earphones or headphones. It has been explained that if the same crime is committed repeatedly, a fine of up to Rs.10,000 is possible. The commissioner stated that the amended fines are being imposed in the state as per the central government guidelines.
According to www.indianherald.com, this provision has not been amended recently. It has been in force for a long time. The commissioner also clarified that there is no increase in fines for driving while wearing earphones. He urged people not to believe in such false propaganda.
Therefore, the claim that a fine of Rs 20,000 will be imposed for driving, wearing earphones or headphones is false. A fine of Rs 1,500 to 2,000 will be imposed.