Indian Driver's Heated Exchange With Canadian Traffic Officer
An Indian man living in Canada found himself at the center of a controversy after receiving a substantial traffic fine of $615 for driving with his mobile phone attached to the windscreen. Gaurav Chabra, the individual involved, documented the entire interaction with the traffic officer through two videos that have since sparked widespread discussion.
The Traffic Stop Argument
During the traffic stop, Chabra engaged in a heated argument with the Asian-origin police officer, insisting that he had not been watching any video content and that his eyes remained fixed on the road throughout his drive. He attempted to justify his actions by pointing out that modern vehicles come equipped with video screens, suggesting that watching a screen while driving doesn't necessarily constitute a legal violation.
Chabra repeatedly challenged the officer to provide evidence that he had been watching video content while operating the vehicle. The officer maintained his position and informed Chabra that he could request such evidence in court if he chose to contest the ticket formally.
Allegations of Racial Bias
Following the incident, Chabra made serious allegations against the traffic officer. "I don't know what he had to do this. Clearly, he was being racist. That's all I can say," Chabra stated. He expressed confusion about the reason for being pulled over, noting that the officer had acknowledged he wasn't speeding, driving erratically, or showing signs of distraction.
Chabra raised questions about the officer's ability to see through his tinted windows during heavy snowfall conditions, doubting how the officer could possibly determine that video content was playing on his phone. The situation escalated when Chabra accidentally exposed cash while retrieving his documents, prompting questions from the officer about the money's purpose.
"When I was pulling my documents out, I accidentally exposed my money and he asked me what the money was for. I told him that it was my money and I could carry it. Dude, you don't have to ask everything," Chabra recounted, suggesting the officer had ulterior motives.
Social Media Reaction and Legal Reality
Despite Chabra's claims of racial discrimination, social media users overwhelmingly pointed out that the traffic stop had nothing to do with racism and everything to do with traffic law compliance. Multiple users highlighted that Ontario's Highway Traffic Act explicitly prohibits drivers from watching screens displaying content unrelated to driving navigation.
The law makes no distinction between built-in vehicle screens and mobile devices mounted on windscreens when it comes to displaying non-driving related content. This legal clarification directly contradicts Chabra's argument that having a phone mounted on his windscreen was permissible as long as he wasn't actively watching content.
Chabra concluded his remarks with a statement about ownership and belonging: "This is not your country. This is everyone's country who lives here. You don't own the country," though he did acknowledge the challenging conditions faced by law enforcement officers during harsh weather.
