The Indian Express        03.07.2013 

BMC suggests campaign against headphone use in public

According to a proposal by Shiv Sena corporator Arvind Dudhwadkar, awareness of the ills of using headphones/earphones may curb the number of accidents involving pedestrians. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that Mumbai witnessed the maximum number of deaths or injuries to pedestrians involved in road and rail accidents in the country.

Dudhwadkar, corporator of the high-profile D-ward area around Tardeo, has suggested advertisements akin to anti-tobacco commercials.

"This is a decision that should be taken by the state and civic body to raise awareness of the dangers of using headphones in public. The user can get distracted by the music and cannot hear any warnings. This is a very serious matter as it can be fatal, especially in environments with moving vehicles. We should put up posters, have advertisements aired on televisions and in theatres, among other such sensitisation campaign tools," said Dudhwadkar, who drew up the proposal after witnessing the fatal accident of a 17-year-old girl near Dadar TT road in June. "Safeguarding against speeding vehicles is one aspect of curbing accidents but if drivers blare the horn and the pedestrians do not hear it because of their earphones, who can be blamed?" the Sena corporator said. The proposal will be up for discussion and approval this month.

Mayor Sunil Prabhu said the proposal would have to be discussed with the civic administration to see if such an awareness campaign can be carried out. "I will speak to the officials concerned to see if we can undertake such a cause for public awareness," said Prabhu.