HYDERABAD: A 28-year-old techie M Sushant is busy writing down points in a note book during the counselling session for those caught driving after consuming alcohol. Now he knows for sure that drinking and driving is prohibited by law and that it is being strictly implemented by Hyderabad police even during weekends. After appearing for counselling, he realises his mistake and makes a commitment to himself that he would never ever do such a thing in his life again.
“I have done a big mistake while driving my four wheeler after drinking alcohol. When I was driving my car, traffic police detained me at Raj Bhavan, Somajiguda and booked a case. Now I know that traffic police are implementing the rule very strictly. I was forced by friends to drink at a local pub on Friday evening and was caught by traffic cops. After counselling I know it was major mistake,’’ says Sushant, who appeared for the one-day-long counselling at Traffic Training Institute (TTI), Goshamahal on Monday.
Mohammed Jaffer, an autorickshaw driver, who spent a couple of hours in the counselling session says that he consumed liquor when he earned more money last Saturday. He was caught by traffic police at Nampally unable to steer his autorickshaw properly. “With police seizing my vehicle, I have not earned anything for the past two days. I now repent for my mistake and shall never drive my auto after drinking,” he says.
Hundreds of offenders, who were caught were administered a pledge by the traffic police stating that they will follow traffic rules and regulations. CV Anand, Addl commissioner of police (Traffic) adviced them never to drink and drive again.
Anand says they made counselling mandatory, which every person booked has to appear. He further stated that the ill-effects of drinking and consequences of drinking and driving was explained to them by videos. The initiative has been taken up by the WHO and assisted by city traffic cops.