There’s some bad news for tipplers who take the steering wheel after downing a few pegs. The check on drunk driving will be more stringent in the days to come, with the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) also conducting checking.
The MVD has received new sets of breath analysers and its four squads in Kochi have been directed to conduct checking throughout the day. According to N K Ravindranath, Enforcement Wing of the MVD, they have started checking for drunken driving for the last one week and have booked a good number of drivers.
“The department acquired new sets of breath analysers for conducting preliminary checking only recently. As part of the drive to curb drunken driving we have received four sets and four squads have been provided with the equipment.
“We caught around 16 persons for driving after consuming alcohol. Interestingly, the majority of drivers who were caught for drunk driving were driving with their family. Our squads conduct checking on National Highways, MC Road and inside Kochi city. A large number of people have been caught on highways,” he said. After the preliminary assessment of the system, the department will purchase more number of breath analysers.
The MVD will also purchase 100 new alcometers for an estimated amount of `80 lakh. The alcometers would be given to each district squad of the department. “If a driver is caught for drunk driving thrice, his or her license will be temporarily cancelled for a said period. A sign would be punched on the driving license if booked,” officials of MVD said. In Kochi alone, a large number of people have been caught for drunk driving. Unlike in other cities, here police register FIR and file a chargesheet before court if caught for drunken driving.
In several other cities, after charging petty case and payment of fine, the drivers are relieved. According to figures from the police, as many as 11,483 persons were booked for drunken driving in Kochi city this year up to July 31. In 2011, 15,917 persons were booked for drunken driving, while in 2012, 17,995 cases were registered. The police in the city are also set to receive new sets of alcometer for intensifying checking.