Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Drunk driving on the rise

Thiruvananthapuram: Road accidents that are alcohol-related and drunk driving are on the increase in the capital despite the crackdown by law enforcement agencies. Drivers under the influence of alcohol indulge in over-speeding through the narrow and congested roads of the capital, jeopardising the safety of other road users.

The increase in the number of cases registered in the traffic wing till November 30 this year points out this disturbing trend.

While the number of deaths have declined, the number of traffic cases have mounted from 3,028 in 2006 to 3,245 till November this year. Traffic officials attribute this to registering of cases under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (drunken driving). In 2006, only 1,003 cases were registered under this section. But, 1,509 cases have been registered till November this year for drunken driving.

Majority of the motorists caught during the checking after 9 p.m. have been found to be drunk. Car owners who attend dinners and parties tend to get drunk and indulge in rash driving.

A survey carried out by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre in the city from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. revealed that one-fourth of owners driving vehicles were having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.03 gm. per 100 ml. of blood, the maximum limit prescribed under the MV Act.

Those being caught will have to be subjected to medical examination within two hours. As per the MV Act, driving under the influence of alcohol will attract imprisonment up to six months or fine up to Rs.2,000 or both with provision for enhanced punishment for repeating the offence within three years of the first conviction.

“We have adopted a tough stand and SI’s have been given breath analysers. Many walk away after paying the penalty,” says a senior traffic official. Increasing the punishment, making drunk driving a non-bailable offence, increasing the penalty and cancelling licence for longer periods have been suggested to curb drunk driving.

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