Mumbai Bans Selfies in Desperation of Educating the Populace (8 photos)

The statistics are terrifying: 40% of the global selfie-related deaths occur in India. (Actually, it used to be around 30%, but the percentage has increased!)







Who else can explain why Indians love selfies so much!?

This happens especially often on railways, waterfalls, and popular selfie mountains. Indians get too close to the edge, get distracted by their phones, and fall backwards.

You can't retrain these people.





Sign in Goa

Most of these deaths occurred in the metropolis of Mumbai. Police used to post warnings everywhere, but… nothing changed. Then they introduced special police patrols to warn people.



WE'RE VIOLATING THE RULES, CITIZENS

And finally, they gave in – they introduced "no-selfie zones," where the police will catch you and fine you if you even dare to take a photo.

Mumbai's Dangerous Waterfront



No, how could it go THIS way?

The main risk areas are concentrated along the city's waterfront—a favorite hangout for young people armed with smartphones. The raging waves of the Indian Ocean and slippery rocks create a deadly combination. Just recently, two teenagers drowned in a Mumbai suburb while trying to take a selfie together during a picnic.

How will "no selfie zones" work?



Recently, everyone went to the bridge to take selfies, and 30 people fell into the raging river.

The statistically most dangerous sections have been added to the register, and "no selfies" signs have been posted. Violations carry a fine of 1,200 rupees. Mumbai police have already begun to take proactive action. Although some sections haven't yet been officially added to the register, police are also patrolling them, knowing that Indians will venture there and get hurt.



A Tragedy Told Without Words

In fact, Mumbai wasn't the first place to ban selfies; other places simply had more compelling reasons. For example, selfies are banned in Spain during the Running of the Bulls (to prevent you from taking photos while running from the bull!). In the US, selfies with bears and wild cats are banned because there's nothing more stupid than turning your back on a wild animal.



This is an American warning.

The Louvre doesn't ban selfies, but selfie sticks, to prevent people from waving them around and hitting the exhibits. But India simply bans photos on the shores and rocks because... It's just impossible.