HYDERABAD:It’s distressing news for tipplers in the city. Stop driving under the influence of alcohol, whether it is a weekday or weekend, night or day, for the Hyderabad Traffic Police is after you. If you are drunk, take the help of a driver.
The traffic police have decided to hunt down tipplers behind the wheels to put an end to the menace. The result, for instance, an autodriver on Saturday was caught in broad daylight with a blood alcohol content of 245 mg while the permitted limit is just 30 mg per 100ml blood.
The incident took place on Saturday, at around 1.30 pm at Panjagutta when traffic policemen launched a surprise check. Acting on the rising number of complaints from parents and school managements regarding drunken drivers, the traffic police have decided to strictly enforce the anti-drunk driving law.
“The Hyderabad traffic police have decided to conduct regular checks for drunken driving during day time also. We have launched the drive in upmarket localities like Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and Punjagutta,” LS Chauhan, deputy commissioner of Police, Traffic told Express.
The special drive against drunken driving lasted for an hour-and-a-half till 3 pm from Shalimar to Punjagutta. A total of 42 cases were registered in Punjagutta. A day before that, the Banjara Hills traffic police had registered 34 cases during day time.
Additional commissioner of police, Traffic Jitender has obtained approval from the Hyderabad Police Commissioner to conduct vehicle check during day time to curb drunken drive in the city.
“We have noticed that auto drivers who are hired to pick and drop school students are often found drunken. Apart from students who take these autorickshaws, there are hundreds of children who go home by walk too. We cannot risk the lives of anyone on roads,” said Chauhan.
The tipplers who are caught drunken will be issued challan on the spot after seizing their vehicles. They would be produced before the court after imparting a special counselling session at the traffic training institute, the officer added.