Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Street Experiences (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street-experiences/)

-   -   Are Reels More Important Than Lives? My Growing Concern About Drivers Watching Videos While Driving (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street-experiences/291477-reels-more-important-than-lives-my-growing-concern-about-drivers-watching-videos-while-driving.html)

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend on our roads—an increasing number of cab drivers and even private vehicle owners watching reels and videos while driving. It’s happening everywhere. At traffic signals, on highways, and even in stop-and-go traffic, I frequently see drivers glued to their phones, scrolling through Instagram or YouTube Shorts.

I used to think distracted driving was mostly about calls or texting. But now, short video platforms have taken this to another level. It’s not just a momentary distraction anymore; it’s full-on entertainment at the cost of safety.

The Alarming Reality

Just last week, I was in a cab on my way to office. The driver had his phone mounted on the dashboard towards the right, playing reels continuously. His eyes darted between the road and his screen. Every time he laughed or reacted to a video, my anxiety levels spiked. I had to politely ask him to stop, and while he obliged, he seemed indifferent—like it was no big deal.

I wish I could say, this was a one-off incident, but it’s not. I’ve seen it with private car owners too—some holding their phones in one hand while navigating through traffic with the other. The worst part? Many don’t even think they’re doing anything wrong.

Why Is This Happening?

Addiction to Short Videos – Social media algorithms are designed to hook users, making it hard to stop scrolling, even while driving.

False Sense of Control – Many drivers believe they can multitask and “just glance” at their phones without losing focus.

No Immediate Consequences – Unlike drunk driving or running a red light, watching reels doesn’t have an instant penalty unless it results in an accident.


According to multiple studies, taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles the risk of a crash. Watching a reel? That’s easily 5–10 seconds of distraction. At 60 km/h, that means the car moves 100–150 meters blind. That’s more than enough to hit another vehicle, a pedestrian, or lose control.

What Can We Do?

Spread Awareness – Talk about it. Call out unsafe behaviour when you see it, whether it’s a cab driver, a friend, or a family member.

Demand Stricter Laws – Many countries have harsh penalties for using a phone while driving. India needs to enforce these rules more strictly.

Ride Responsibly – If you’re in a cab and notice the driver watching videos, speak up. Your life is at stake.

Lead by Example – If you drive, make it a habit to put your phone away before starting the car. Use “Do Not Disturb” modes if necessary.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just about reckless driving anymore—it’s a dangerous cultural shift where entertainment is prioritised over safety. As car lovers, enthusiasts, and responsible citizens, we need to take this seriously. A moment of distraction is all it takes for an irreversible tragedy.

Very true. Most of the Auto driver's who I go with keep watching Ramachaari colours kannada series on full volume lol: and due to that they are distracted and drive slower than usual, making me late everywhere I go.

Another important point is that all these new aftermarket android head units encourage users to watch movies and what not while driving. This should be strictly discouraged IMHO.

Automobiles need a tech solution now to PREVENT drivers from using mobile phones while driving.

And governments need to mandate this Tech in all automobiles.

It's getting crazier by the day!

Yes, I have seen many people doing that. Nowadays, people’s attention spans are so short that they can’t even focus while driving. This issue is especially common among cab/auto drivers. Cab companies should install a device in their vehicles to monitor driver’s behaviour while driving.

This prevalent among the riders as well. I have seen several ev scooters with mount as well as scooters with the mobile mount playing reels. I don’t know what satisfaction people get from watching reels and riding. It’s a menace and a danger. Just yesterday, I read the tbhp thread where a jeep compass got rear ended by a Dzire because the driver of the Dzire was looking at his phone.

While it is true that some of these people are watching reels for entertainment, I'm sure many are doing so for their livelihood.

Most jobs nowadays pays a pittance. even software engineers need alternate source of income. And what better to do while being stuck in traffic than earn an extra buck.

There are a lot of jobs where they pay you for evey reel you watch. I'm sure most of these drivers are juggling 2 jobs at the same time when you are judging them.

This reminds me of the scene in the movie 'Dictator' where tha NYC cabbie is on the phone doing a BPO job simultaneously.

We should admire the spirit of these never say die people who are desperately trying to improve their livelihood.

What gets to me is when a driver or rider is on teams/zoom and still driving. And believe me, I have seen people do that, even on 2 wheelers (am from Bangalore).

Office calls need a higher degree of concentration and is in my opinion more dangerous than the typical entertainment stuff.

I have also observed this new trend and its frankly very scary.

At least the people in cars and autos have a false illusion of safety, but the organ donors on motorcycles take it to a different level.

A motorcar used to be a piece of machinery that demanded skill and expertise to operate and driving was once a craft, associated with mastering a complex machine - hence the need for a driver's license.

Driving being an essential skill, authorities had cut some slack to help people earn a livelihood and to carry out day-to-day tasks. They also used to be a source of income for corrupt authorities, and now coupled with new tech OEMs use to improve the comfort of operating the machinery, and to stand out, has now reached a point where an automobile is just a gadget.

No wonder autonomous cars are seen to be the future. I will pray for us enthusiasts who love these machines and operate them.

I agree with the above BHPian citing the fact that the automobile is a machine that deserves to be operated with a certain level of skill and concentration.

I learnt to drive on my parents' WagonR, an absolute-barebones piece of automotive machinery. Every vibration, every sound is a feedback to the driver. I learnt to drive/ride by ear before I understood the mechanical limits of the machine, and I'm sure many of us here have learnt the same way.

Now that I'm in the USA and have to commute to my workplace and home, 30-35 miles each way, it involves the usage of one of the freeways notoriously known for frequent crashes, the I-75. Adding to the fact that most cars sold in the USA are automatics, everyone keeps driving like maniacs. No one understands the concepts of RPM, engine cooling, gearing, etc. Every intersection/signal that I stop at, I constantly spot other drivers just staring into their phones, constantly. The other day I saw a woman driving her Malibu at 70mph and no hands on the steering, staring into her phone. God knows what she was staring at. It's like these guys constantly need that dopamine hit. Irrespective of the place they're in. Most motorists have absolutely bad response times. Sometimes, since I live in Michigan, where the forbidden leaf is legal, most drivers are under the influence. Michigan is that state where you have to be very careful on roads. Fortunately I have been able to hold myself to these conditions because we are trained in precise driving by India's traffic. If they were in India, they would cry and throw a fit. Many people treat their cars as another tool to use to get their huge bodies (better sounding word redacted for the forum's sake) without zero care for the vehicle. Most get frustrated when their vehicle doesnt do what they want, most turn to trading in their car or straight up disposing it. Us Indians cant even dream of "disposing" a 4-lakh rupee car. Not even the real old Maruti 800s.

I only use my phone (for active tasks) in my car when it is parked. I set the music/navigation before I start my trip and then fix the phone to the phone holder. Since my phone connects to the car's infotainment system by bluetooth, I use the handsfree system for attending calls if I get any. The task of calling a person is sorted out for me by giving voice commands to Siri (latest gen Siri on the newer AI iPhones does a really great job).

I think the auto/cab drivers here are much more civilized. On the other hand, I have seen private car drivers watching videos. But very rare though.

If this reels/shorts thingy is banned, I guess half the problem will be solved :D.

It is a growing concern indeed. Both on Yellow board and White board vehicles. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to enforce ban on this. One can get a cheap android head unit which allows one to watch YT, Netflix or any streaming platform. OEM head units and aftermarket Head units from reputed manufacturers do not allow launching of these apps in the first place.

Unless the apps are forced to suspend playing videos while the phones are moving, this menace will not go away. Laws are not going to help here. Only a tech enforced ban can work.

How does one do this? What if one is chauffeured or in a train?

The head unit can include a motion sensor which can be used to disable the launch of the apps or kill the app if its running. It possible to do it. But most manufacturers will not because that will affect their sales.