Distracted by his cellphone, cabbie runs over pedestrian
A 24-year-old cab driver who ran over a pedestrian while talking on his mobile phone has been arrested by the Govandi police. The accused, Kaleem Shameem Shah, was on his first day of work for an app-based cab service.
The deceased, Prince Udaylal Singh Sethi, had been working as a driver for a transport company and was from Punjab. The incident took place at 11 am at the Punjab Wadi locality near Raheja Complex in Chembur a few days ago.
According to the police, Shah picked up a fare at Raheja tower in his cab. During the journey, messages began flashing on the smartphone that had been given to Shah by the cab service, but Shah, having little education, was struggling to read them. Shah asked his passenger, an advocate, to read the messages for him. She refused, warning him to concentrate on driving.
Senior Police Inspector Uttam Kolhekar from Govandi Police Station said, “We have arrested Shah under section 304 A (causing death by negligence). Such kind of incidents can be prevented if cab companies hire people based on qualifications or give them the proper training.” The taxi service did not respond to emails and calls.
The deceased, Prince Udaylal Singh Sethi, had been working as a driver for a transport company and was from Punjab. The incident took place at 11 am at the Punjab Wadi locality near Raheja Complex in Chembur a few days ago.
According to the police, Shah picked up a fare at Raheja tower in his cab. During the journey, messages began flashing on the smartphone that had been given to Shah by the cab service, but Shah, having little education, was struggling to read them. Shah asked his passenger, an advocate, to read the messages for him. She refused, warning him to concentrate on driving.
Shah then answered a call on his cellphone, lost control of the speeding car and knocked down Sethi, who was crossing the road after having a meal at a roadside stall. Sethi suffered severe injuries and was rushed to Shatabdi Hospital with the help of the advocate, but was declared dead.
Senior Police Inspector Uttam Kolhekar from Govandi Police Station said, “We have arrested Shah under section 304 A (causing death by negligence). Such kind of incidents can be prevented if cab companies hire people based on qualifications or give them the proper training.” The taxi service did not respond to emails and calls.
